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1. Indicating the most important performer or role
   "the leading man";
   - prima, star, starring, stellar [informal], most important
    
2. Greatest in importance, degree, significance or achievement
   "the country's leading poet";
   - preeminent, marquee [N. Amer], pre-eminent
    
3. Having the leading position or higher score in a contest
   "the leading team in the pennant race";
   - ahead, in the lead
    
4. Going, proceeding or going in advance; showing the way
   "we rode in the leading car"; "the leading edge of technology"

1. The activity of leading
   "his leading inspired the team";
   - leadership

1. Thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
   - lead[2]

1. Accompany somebody somewhere to show them the way
   "we led him to our chief";
   - take, direct, conduct, guide
    
2. Produce as a result or residue
   - leave, result
    
3. Tend to or result in
   "This remark led to further arguments among the guests"
    
4. Travel in front of; go in advance of others
   "The procession was led by John";
   - head
    
5. Cause to undertake a certain action
   "Her greed led her to forge the checks"
    
6. Stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
   "Service leads all the way to Cranbury";
   - run, go, pass, extend
    
7. Be in charge of
   "Who is leading this project?";
   - head
    
8. Be ahead of others; be the first
   "she led her class every year";
   - top
    
9. Have the effect of making happen, or become more likely
   "The use of computers in the classroom led to better writing";
   - contribute, conduce
    
10. (music) Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition
    "lead an orchestra";
    - conduct, direct
     
11. Provide access; extend (in the direction of something)
    "This door leads to the basement";
    - go
     
12. Move ahead (of others) in time or space
    - precede
     
13. Cause something to lie along a particular path
    "lead the wire behind the cabinet";
    - run
     
14. Preside over
    "John led the discussion";
    - moderate, chair, mod [informal]

Derived forms: leadings

See also: directing, directional, directive, guiding, major, superior, up

Type of: activity, advance, be, boost, bring about, cause, direct, discuss, do, encourage, execute, further, get, give rise, go, hash out, have, induce, locomote, make, make pass, move, pass, perform, produce, promote, slip, stimulate, strip, talk over, travel

Antonym: following

Encyclopedia: Leading