1
: coming or ranking first : foremost
2
: exercising leadership
3
: providing direction or guidance
a leading question
4
: given most prominent display
the leading story
plural leadings
1
: a covering or framework of lead
repaired the leading in the church's stained glass windows
2
typography : the distance between a pair of adjacent lines in composed text
increased the leading after the header
a leading of 6 points

Examples of leading in a Sentence

Adjective a leading topic of conversation Their family played a leading part in the settlement of the town. the leading role in a major Hollywood movie a leading citizen of the town She's one of the leading authorities on the stock market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Under the Biden administration, Caribbean leaders took a leading role in trying to help mediate the ongoing crisis in Haiti, which worsened after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 Rwanda played a leading role in both, backing rebel groups and deploying its own troops. Emmet Livingstone, The Dial, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
Reynolds lends a hardness to Masha, at once bitter and comic, and her leading of a game of bingo at the play’s resolution restores some dark humor just as tragedy is about to strike. Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 For those who are Captain America fans, this movie does not disappoint and provides many unique forms of representation: strong women in positions of power, positive male friendships and mentorship, as well as an ethnically diverse leading and co-starring cast. Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading

adjective
1
: coming or ranking first or among the first : foremost
2
: exercising leadership
3
: providing direction or guidance
a leading question

More from Merriam-Webster on leading

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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