leading1 adjectiveleading2 noun
leadinglead‧ing1 /ˈliːdɪŋ/ ●●○ W3 adjective [only before noun] 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- CCI is a leading provider of cellular phone service in Ohio.
- Debbie was one of the leading lights in the drama club.
- She was one of America's leading athletes.
- Some of the world's leading politicians will be meeting in Geneva to discuss disarmament.
- the leading scorer in college basketball
- After two days all but the twenty-four leading amateurs and the thirty-six leading professionals would be eliminated.
- Gordon's, Tanqueray and Booth's Gins are similarly leading brands in the white spirits market.
- His reasoning is lengthy and perhaps not quite the same as that of the leading judgment.
- In private practice, and by virtue of his influential writings, Maudsley soon became the leading alienist of his generation.
- Most of this fibre is from cereal sources which are particularly recommended for their health value by some leading medical researchers.
- The leading crews are due to reach the end of their voyage at Southampton on Sunday.
- The course is recognized for producing graduates who are immediately employable and who can play leading roles in the development of computing.
- The item input is taken as is, including commas, quotes and leading spaces.
Longman Language Activatorsomething that you ask someone
what you say or write when you are asking for information: · That's a very difficult question to answer.· Does anyone have any further questions?· There were several questions Melanie wanted to ask the interviewer.question about: · I hate it when strangers ask me questions about my private life.
British a question that you ask when you have not completely understood something or you are not sure that something is true or correct: · If anyone has a query I'll deal with it at the end of the meeting.· I would be happy to answer people's queries if they write to me at my home address.query about: · Since the TV programme the advice bureau has received lots of queries about maternity rights.raise a query (=ask a question): · One of the students raised a query about the marking system.
also enquiry especially British a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something: · We have only just put the house up for sale, and we've already received lots of enquiries.inquiry about: · For all inquiries about flight schedules, please call the following number.
a question that deliberately tricks someone, so that they give you the answer that you want or say something that they do not intend to say: · You don't expect me to answer a loaded question like that, do you?· The jurors said interviewers used leading questions and coached the children on how they should answer.
a question that seems easy to answer but has a hidden difficulty: · "Did you have a good time while I was gone?" "That's a trick question, right? If I say yes, you'll be angry that I didn't miss you."
an important person an important person has a lot of power or influence: · The school is having some very important visitors next week.· Several important politicians are calling for a change in the laws on gun control.
: leading scientist/politician/company etc a scientist, politician etc who is well-known and successful, and who usually has a lot of influence: · She was one of America's leading athletes.· Some of the world's leading politicians will be meeting in Geneva to discuss disarmament.leading light (=one of the most important and active people in an organization): · Debbie was one of the leading lights in the drama club.
important and having a lot of influence especially in politics or business: · Jacobson's one of the most influential people in New York.· The program has gained the support of several influential businessmen.influential in doing something: · Various groups were influential in shaping public policy.highly influential: · a highly influential member of Hong Kong's banking community
a very important, famous, or powerful person who is treated with special attention and respect: · The First Lady is expected to be among the many VIPs attending tonight.· The pair had their meeting in the VIP lounge (=room for important people) at Heathrow airport.
important, well-known, and respected in politics, business, education etc: · Daguerre was a prominent Mexico City lawyer.· The conference was attended by both government officials and prominent academics.· Politicians who are prominent in public life may be at risk from terrorism.
someone who is important because they have a lot of power and experience in a particular business or job: · Intellectual heavyweights will be debating what is one of the most important issues or our time.
someone who has an important position in society or in an organization such as a church or government: · Italy's president will be there, with foreign dignitaries including the Prince of Wales.· Most of the local dignitaries attended the event.
: valued friend/worker/customer etc someone who is considered important because they provide a lot of support, business, service etc - used especially in advertisements and business contexts: · I had a letter from William, one of my most valued friends.· The most valued workers in the factory are the technicians.· The company is offering discount to its valued customers.
to have an important part in something to be important in making important changes or achieving an important success: · The Church has played a leading role in the struggle for human rights.· Von Braun played a leading part in the development of space flights.
to be important in a process, event, or situation, especially by working very hard to achieve something: · The British Prime Minister figured prominently in the peace talks.· The campaign, in which many celebrities figured prominently, was a great success.· She will be remembered as someone who was always prominent in the anti-apartheid movement.
to be the most important person in changing or developing something because you have so much energy and determination: · James is the senior partner in the firm, but it is Peter who is the driving force.be the driving force behind: · Carlsson has been the driving force behind the bank's ambitious expansion plans.
to be important in making something possible, especially because of the things you do to achieve it: · Mary had been instrumental in securing my release from jail.· Women's organizations have been instrumental in promoting women's rights.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The army played a leading role in organizing the attempted coup. leading members of the governmentCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Her album is a strong contender for the Album of the Year award. a leading exponent of desktop publishing Japan is a leading exporter of textiles. Dr George is one of the leading proponents of this view. He was Palace’s top scorer.
The army played a leading role in organizing the attempted coup. leading members of the government (=acting the most important part)· Schwarzenegger was one of Hollywood’s leading actors.
(=the main article)· Look at this leading article from Newsweek’s business section.
· a leading brand such as Toshiba
· In many cities prominent businessmen encouraged and financed city centre improvements.
· In this country, debt is a major cause of homelessness.· Drug abuse is the leading cause of crime and violence.
· Alec is the central character in the play.
(=an important one)· The protests were led by leading citizens in the community.
Her album is a strong contender for the Album of the Year award. (=one of the best and most respected)· He is one of the country’s leading experts on Islam.
a leading exponent of desktop publishing Japan is a leading exporter of textiles. (=an important member)· a discussion between leading members of the profession
(=one of the main opponents)· In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.
(=one of the main opponents, often influencing other people)· She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.
(=the most important part)· Taking the lead part of Annie will be 11-year-old Zoe Jones.
· The scandal ruined the careers of several leading politicians.
· The good news is that we are ahead in the polls.
Dr George is one of the leading proponents of this view. (=the most important role)· They take a leading role in discussions.
(=the most important role)· He had already cast Tom Hanks in the lead role.
He was Palace’s top scorer.· Many of his leading supporters had by now either escaped abroad or been captured.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Particular items like cartoons and horoscopes often had high readerships; leading articles did not.· Special attention is paid to leading articles and reports of political speeches.· Then came the news that the Daily Mail compositors had refused to set an offending leading article.
· A leading authority on menswear, he is still, at 82, a keen tennis player.· Mr Righton is regarded as a leading authority on the care of children.· He had also made himself the leading authority on fossil fish, taking over Cuvier's work.· He reads and digests material on a vast range of topics and picks the brains of most of the leading authorities.· Limited Intervention A number of leading authorities support only limited review.
· Both the leading candidates advocated free market policies and foreign investment to revive the stagnant economy.· You're a leading candidate in an important election campaign.· It was conducted mainly via television and radio to ensure the security of the leading candidates.· Barking, east London, is a leading candidate for a scheme.· Also on Feb. 24-25 Modrow agreed, despite earlier statements to the contrary, to stand as the party's leading candidate.
· The weaving yarn should always be on the leading edge of the carriage.· One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.· Above: Tim Benson's Swallow Tail has extra leading edges for the tail section.· Position this end to the leading edges of the lining.· Centre right: Fine mesh slot on a Powerhouse kite - there are two slots on each leading edge.· Its full spacial beauty becomes evident when the leading edge is vertical and the remote edge is horizontal.· The rearmost sections of the leading edges might be detached from the joining ferrules.· Similarly, most aircraft have flaps and the majority of these have leading edge slats too, but Concorde has none.
· Other leading figures in the party are also unlikely class warriors.· Under the Politburo was the Central Committee, composed of over 300 of the party's secretaries and other leading figures.· Intelligenty monopolized the Central Committee of each and provided the leading figures on the national stage in 1917.· He edited the school magazine and was a leading figure on the school's workers' council.· I opened fire on the leading figure.· The first event of 1993 is again fortunate to have secured three leading figures from very different fields of endeavour.
· Susannah York was a young up-and-coming leading lady who had a major part in the film.· Does she have the muscle to become a leading lady in her own right?· He invariably falls in love with his leading ladies.· She was one of his favourite leading ladies.· The director and his former leading lady took action after a court ruled the case could be televised.· He never married Tarita, his leading lady in Mutiny on the Bounty, but she did give him two children.· Leslie, 32, has been signed up as the latest leading lady in Dennis's hit comedy Stay Lucky.· The show was on the floor, and the leading lady was flawed.
· But being in a wheelchair doesn't stop them having fun - or falling for the leading man.· They came at full speed, the leading man aiming to Sharpe's left, the other pulling to his right.· Four years ago seven leading men threatened to boycott the event because they considered the prize money too low.· My wife ran off with her leading man a month ago.· At Coniston bargains were made privately on setting-day with the leading man - the taker of the gang.· You're becoming quite a leading man in this crew, George Merry.· Babs said it was all very well but had he forgotten their leading man was flat on his back in Sefton General?
· He has played a leading part in representing the brewing industry and is acknowledged internationally as a world expert on hops.· Orleton once again seems to have taken a leading part, delivering a harsh and bitter address to the king.· Although it was the men of Kent and the other home counties who took leading parts Sussex did not escape.· In that upheaval Peter played a leading part.· Wolverton Works became a leading part of this new organisation.· The subject was Alexander the Great, and Paul Scofield was to have the leading part.
· Practices and Procedures None of the leading players in this drama doubts the need for child protection.· And no one doubts that he has earned his place among the sport's leading players.· Last season Boldon struggled throughout but they are a different proposition this time after signing several leading players during the winter.· In passing North Harbour continue to be prominent in the to-ing and fro-ing of leading players.· It is important to be around the professionals, the leading players in the world.· Pat Cash and Dave Wheaton have also agreed to play and efforts are continuing to attract other leading players.· The histories of the counties are examined briefly but thoroughly, with comment on all the leading players.· Such long stints on the carpet are due to the consistency of leading players, whose skill is such they cancel each other out.
· The Webbs devoted themselves to pressing these ideas upon leading politicians and civil servants.· Robert Walpole, as leading politician at that time, became indispensable to George I, despite their mutual dislike for each other.· Also, news bulletins concentrated heavily on the speeches and activities of leading politicians, particularly the president.· Others were in the employ of leading politicians.
· The intention was to allow London to leapfrog its rivals into a leading position.
· In answer to a leading question about the temperature Of the room, he reflected that it had been cold and draughty.· All right, I won't ask leading questions.· To arrive there the counsellor has to stop talking, and in order to stop talking, answerable and leading questions are required.· For example, a leading question may take the respondent outside the bounds of the context of everyday life.
· And in the creation of all this euphoria Berel Karlinsky had played a leading role.· Why not accept that, and play a leading role in creating it in as beneficial an environment as possible?· Often playing leading roles in productions her loyal and hardworking membership went back to her joining in 1947.· It is crucial to our trade and investment that we continue to play a leading role in the Community.· Alan Bates took the leading role.· The course is recognized for producing graduates who are immediately employable and who can play leading roles in the development of computing.· Dissent, hitherto confined to a number of intellectuals, became a mass phenomenon with the Protestant Church playing a leading role.· One deaf person who did come through to play a leading role in deaf affairs was David Fyfe.
· The Boro's second leading scorer felt he had been made a scapegoat for the home defeat by Watford.· The 24-year-old, leading scorer for the past four seasons, was unsettled by a £3.5 million offer from Manchester United.· Town's fans are angry at losing the club's leading scorer.· Capped 12 times by his country, the 24-year-old is a leading scorer for his club Rosenberg with 20 goals this season.· The Seasiders, boosted by the inclusion of leading scorer Tommy Mooney were always on top and showed sharp finishing.· United's leading scorer was in rampant mood and was twice kept out by superb saves from Gould.· That takes Shearer's tally to 10 goals in 10 games and he is also the Premier League's leading scorer.· Marwood, the League's leading scorer with 224 points, added both goals to make it 18-12.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be leading the pack/be ahead of the pack
- the leading edge of a plane's wing
- To survive, companies must stay on the leading edge of technology.
- By having an aerodynamic, efficient leading edge.
- One that balances leading edge technological capability with a thorough understanding of your business.
- Part of it went upwards perforating the leading edge of the fin in several places.
- Somehow, he accomplishes it and keeps doing work at the leading edge.
- That so weakened the plane that the fuselage broke in two, just forward of the leading edge of the wings.
- The weaving yarn should always be on the leading edge of the carriage.
- When curtains are to butt together, plan to have a half space at each leading edge.
- When glass fibre tubular spars were standard practice, leading edge distortion would form an otherwise straight line into a swan-neck shape!
- Another was a leading light opera singer in the local community.
- By now, Braudel had become one of its leading lights, and from 1956 to 1968 he was virtually its editor.
- Harrison, a man of simple birth and high intelligence, crossed swords with the leading lights of his day.
- On renouncing alcohol he was pardoned and he set sail for Darlington where he became a leading light in the Society.
- She loves gym workouts, swimming and playing netball - she is a leading light in a local women's team.
- The merchants were the leading lights of the popolo grasso or rich bourgeoisie.
- This victory may set Stretch up with a world-title elimination fight with Britain's other leading light middleweight, Chris Pyatt.
- All right, I won't ask leading questions.
- For example, a leading question may take the respondent outside the bounds of the context of everyday life.
- In answer to a leading question about the temperature Of the room, he reflected that it had been cold and draughty.
- It makes me worry, all those leading questions with hidden assumptions that detectives like to ask suspects.
- Never did she ask leading questions or provide suggestions.
- To arrive there the counsellor has to stop talking, and in order to stop talking, answerable and leading questions are required.
- But being in a wheelchair doesn't stop them having fun - or falling for the leading man.
- Corbin Timbrook, a handsome leading man-type, has been tending Downtown's best bar for three years now.
- Davis became a genius by turning bit actors into leading men.
- Oh, some one always asks who my favorite leading lady was or who was the best kisser.
- Questioner2 Is your decision to take a year off anything to do with the rumours about Jeff and his present leading lady?
- The initial structure of the show had kind of a leading man figure: John Kelly.
- They came at full speed, the leading man aiming to Sharpe's left, the other pulling to his right.
- Tuesday night's opening had to be cancelled and on Wednesday night the leading lady was ill.
- It has become a case of the blind leading the blind.
- This is called the blind leading the blind.
- Mrs. Shaewitz is a leading light in the local drama society.
- By 1991, it was a leading light in outlandish front suspension concepts.
- On renouncing alcohol he was pardoned and he set sail for Darlington where he became a leading light in the Society.
- She loves gym workouts, swimming and playing netball - she is a leading light in a local women's team.
WORD FAMILYnounleadleaderleadershipadjectiveleadleadingverblead
1best, most important, or most successful: The army played a leading role in organizing the attempted coup. the leading industrial nations a leading heart specialist leading members of the government2leading edge a)technical the part of something that is at the front of it when it moves b)the part of an activity where the most modern and advanced equipment and methods are usedleading of This is the leading edge of medical technology. → leading-edge3leading light a respected person who leads a group or organization, or is important in a particular area of knowledge or activity: The two women were leading lights of the women’s union.4leading question a question that deliberately tricks someone into giving the answer you want: Don’t ask leading questions.5leading lady/man the woman or man who acts the most important female or male part in a film, play etc → leading articleleading1 adjectiveleading2 noun
leadinglead‧ing2 /ˈledɪŋ/ noun [uncountable] technical EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Then McClure turned in another sparking display, assisted by solid leading from Ronnie Oliver to lift the pairs title.
WORD SETS
adobe, nounasphalt, nounbatten, nounbeam, nounblueprint, nounboard, nounboom, nounbreeze-block, nounbrick, nounbricklayer, nounbrickwork, nounbucket, nounbuilder, nounbuilding contractor, nounbuilding site, nounbulldoze, verbbulldozer, nounbuttress, nouncaisson, nouncantilever, nouncastellated, adjectivecavity wall, nouncement, nouncement, verbconcrete, adjectiveconcrete, nounconcrete, verbconduit, nounconstruct, verbcrane, nouncrosspiece, noundaub, noundigger, noundowel, noundrain, noundrainage, noundraughtsman, noundry-stone wall, noundry wall, nounduckboards, noundustsheet, nounembankment, nounerect, verberection, nounfence, verbfencing, nounfiberboard, nounfibreboard, nounfloor plan, nounfoundation, noungantry, noungatepost, noungirder, noungreenfield site, nounhalf-timbered, adjectivehard hat, nounhod, nounhousing association, nounhousing project, nounjackhammer, nounjib, nounjoist, nounkeystone, nounlath, nounleading, nounmansard, nounmortar, nounpanelling, nounpanel pin, nounpave, verbpavement, nounpebbledash, nounpier, nounpile driver, nounplank, nounplanking, nounplaster, nounplaster, verbplasterboard, nounplasterer, nounplate glass, nounpoint, verbPortakabin, nounprime, verbprimer, nounproperty developer, nounputty, nounquantity surveyor, nounrebuild, verbreconstruct, verbreconstruction, nounrefurbish, verbreinforced concrete, nounrendering, nounrenovate, verbrevetment, nounroof, nounroof, verbroofing, nounrooftop, nounrubble, nounsand, verbsandstone, nounsaw, verbscaffold, nounscaffolding, nounshovel, nounsite, nounskip, nounslab, nounslate, nounspan, verbstarter home, nounsteam shovel, nounstilt, nounstucco, nounsurface, verbsuspension bridge, nounthatch, nounthatched, adjectivetile, nountile, verbtiling, nountimber, nountopcoat, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Her album is a strong contender for the Album of the Year award. a leading exponent of desktop publishing Japan is a leading exporter of textiles. Dr George is one of the leading proponents of this view. He was Palace’s top scorer.
(=acting the most important part)· Schwarzenegger was one of Hollywood’s leading actors.
(=the main article)· Look at this leading article from Newsweek’s business section.
· a leading brand such as Toshiba
· In many cities prominent businessmen encouraged and financed city centre improvements.
· In this country, debt is a major cause of homelessness.· Drug abuse is the leading cause of crime and violence.
· Alec is the central character in the play.
(=an important one)· The protests were led by leading citizens in the community.
Her album is a strong contender for the Album of the Year award. (=one of the best and most respected)· He is one of the country’s leading experts on Islam.
a leading exponent of desktop publishing Japan is a leading exporter of textiles. (=an important member)· a discussion between leading members of the profession
(=one of the main opponents)· In July the authorities arrested two leading opponents of the government.
(=one of the main opponents, often influencing other people)· She was a leading opponent of gun control in the Senate.
(=the most important part)· Taking the lead part of Annie will be 11-year-old Zoe Jones.
· The scandal ruined the careers of several leading politicians.
· The good news is that we are ahead in the polls.
Dr George is one of the leading proponents of this view. (=the most important role)· They take a leading role in discussions.
(=the most important role)· He had already cast Tom Hanks in the lead role.
He was Palace’s top scorer.· Many of his leading supporters had by now either escaped abroad or been captured.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► be leading the pack/be ahead of the pack
lead used for covering roofs, for window frames etc- It has become a case of the blind leading the blind.
- This is called the blind leading the blind.
- Mrs. Shaewitz is a leading light in the local drama society.
- By 1991, it was a leading light in outlandish front suspension concepts.
- On renouncing alcohol he was pardoned and he set sail for Darlington where he became a leading light in the Society.
- She loves gym workouts, swimming and playing netball - she is a leading light in a local women's team.