leading has definitions from the field of printing
1
[ adjective ] indicating the most important performer or role

Examples

"the leading man" "prima ballerina" "prima donna" "a star figure skater" "the starring role" "a stellar role" "a stellar performance"

Used in print

(Chicago Daily Tribune...)

Splendid , too , is the performance of Yuri_Tolubeyev , one of Russia 's leading comedians , as Sancho_Panza , the fat , grotesque `` squire '' .

(The Providence Journal...)

Dolores_Hart , is charming in a leading role , and quite believable .

(Douglas Ashford, "Elections in Morocco: Progress...)

They were stressed in the speeches of Si_Mubarak_Bekkai when the first Council_of_Ministers was formed and again when the Istiqlal took a leading role in the second Council .

(W. E. B. DuBois, Worlds of Color....)

One of the leading members of the Amen_corner was cook ; there were two or three colored maids employed there .

Related terms

major

2
[ adjective ] greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement

Synonyms

greatest preeminent

Examples

"our greatest statesmen" "the country's leading poet" "a preeminent archeologist"

Used in print

(Chester G. Starr, The Origins of Greek Civili...)

Though the spread of this type of decoration in the Aegean has not_yet been precisely determined , it seems to appear first in the Cyclades , which were among the leading exporters of pottery throughout the century .

Related terms

superior

3
[ adjective ] going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way

Examples

"we rode in the leading car" "the leading edge of technology"

Used in print

(Bonnie Prudden, "The Dancer and the Gymnast"...)

Eventually the class will be able to kick up high enough so_that the teacher can catch the leading leg .

Related terms

following directing guiding

4
[ adjective ] purposefully formulated to elicit a desired response

Examples

"a leading question"

Used in print

(John Dos Passos, Midcentury....)

`` Connections '' was all he would say with that smooth hurt smile when I put leading questions .

Related terms

purposeful

5
[ adjective ] having the leading position or higher score in a contest

Synonyms

ahead in_the_lead

Examples

"he is ahead by a pawn" "the leading team in the pennant race"

Used in print

(The New York Times,...)

Palmer , golf 's leading money winner in 1960 , and Snead will be saluted as the winning team in the Canada_Cup matches last June in Dublin .

Related terms

up

6
[ noun ] (printing) thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

Synonyms

lead

Related terms

strip

7
[ noun ] the activity of leading

Synonyms

leadership

Examples

"his leadership inspired the team"

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