leading 1
— leadingly , adv.
/lee"ding/ , adj.
1. chief; principal; most important; foremost: a leading toy manufacturer.
2. coming in advance of others; first: We rode in the leading car.
3. directing, guiding.
n.
4. the act of a person or thing that leads.
[ 1250-1300; ME (n.); see LEAD 1 , -ING 2 , -ING 1 ]
Syn. 3. ruling, governing.
leading 2
/led"ing/ , n.
1. a covering or framing of lead: the leading of a stained-glass window.
2. Print. lead 2 (def. 7).
[ 1400-50; late ME; see LEAD 2 , -ING 1 ]