leading

Adjective

• having the leading position or higher score in a contest
  • he is ahead by a pawn
    
  • the leading team in the pennant race
    

• going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way
  • we rode in the leading car
    
  • the leading edge of technology
    

• greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement
  • our greatest statesmen
    
  • the country's leading poet
    
  • a preeminent archeologist
    

• indicating the most important performer or role
  • the leading man
    
  • prima ballerina
    
  • prima donna
    
  • a star figure skater
    
  • the starring role
    
  • a stellar role
    
  • a stellar performance
    

Noun

• the activity of leading
  • his leadership inspired the team
    

• thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  ahead(p) , in the lead , leading(a) , preeminent , leading(p) , prima(p) , star(p) , starring(p) , stellar(a) , leadership , lead