leading
/ˈliːdɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈliːdɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlē-diŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈledɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈledɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
leading — adjective
- leadingpositive
- more leadingcomparative
- most leadingsuperlative
1. More important, successful, or advanced than any other person or thing in a part
More important, successful, or advanced than any other person or thing in a particular group, field, or industry.
Olivia is a leading expert on climate change and ocean ecosystems.
common collocation: leading expert
This university is a leading institution for medical research in East Asia.
The company holds a leading position in the electric vehicle market.
Faisal played the leading role in the school's annual theatre production.
Several leading economists have questioned the government's new tax plan.
文法句型
leading + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive position). For example, 'a leading cause' but rarely 'the cause is leading'.
常見錯誤
2. In a position that is ahead of all other competitors or participants in a race,
In a position that is ahead of all other competitors or participants in a race, game, or contest; or guiding the way forward as the first person or thing.
The leading runner crossed the finish line almost two minutes ahead of the others.
sports context: leading runner
The leading car suddenly lost speed on the final lap of the race.
The leading team from Shenzhen secured a spot in the championship finals.
The leading hiker carried a map and a compass for the group.
The leading horse pulled ahead of the rest near the final turn.
- first
More common in everyday speech; less formal than 'leading'
- front-running
Specifically for race contexts; less common
- top
Overlaps in meaning but can also mean 'best' rather than 'physically ahead'
文法句型
leading + noun
用法筆記
Typically used before a noun describing a participant in a competitive context (runner, car, team, horse). When used for guidance rather than competition, the object is usually a group of people moving together.
常見錯誤
leading — noun
1. Sheets or strips of the heavy metal lead, used by builders to cover joints, edge
Sheets or strips of the heavy metal lead, used by builders to cover joints, edges, and flat sections of a roof in order to stop water from leaking through.
The builder replaced the old leading on the church roof after the storm.
Water was dripping through a gap in the leading near the chimney.
problem context: gap in the leading
The historic cottage still has its original leading around the roof edges.
The team installed new leading to seal the joint between the wall and the roof.
- lead sheeting
More specific; refers to the material itself rather than its installed form
- lead flashing
Common term for lead strips used at roof joints and around chimneys
文法句型
the leading
leading + noun (attributive)
用法筆記
Uncountable noun — do not say 'a leading' or 'leadings.' Use 'the leading' or 'some leading.' This sense is most common in British English in the context of building conservation and roofing work.
常見錯誤
2. The vertical gap that separates one row of type from the next on a printed page;
The vertical gap that separates one row of type from the next on a printed page; or, in traditional printing, the thin strip of lead metal inserted between rows of type to create that space.
The designer increased the leading to make the article easier for older readers.
common verb: increase the leading
A document with generous leading looks cleaner and more professional on the page.
In traditional printing, the printer adjusted the leading by inserting thin metal strips between rows of type.
Changing the leading from ten to twelve points greatly improved the layout of the page.
- line spacing
The modern, everyday term; more common outside of professional typography
- interlinear space
Very formal technical term; rare in everyday use
文法句型
leading + noun
adjust / change the leading
用法筆記
Uncountable noun — 'the leading' or 'some leading.' In modern desktop publishing software, leading is usually measured in points. The term is still used even though physical metal strips are no longer used in digital typesetting.