Words / B1

LEED-ing/ˈliːdɪŋ/

Leading means most important or most successful: a leading cause; a leading expert; a leading question in court. Lead is the verb (already in the dictionary). Main is everyday; chief is more official. NHS: smoking remains a leading cause of preventable deaths.

Meaning

Most important or most successful (a leading cause; a leading expert).

Examples

• “Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable deaths.”
• “A leading question on the form steered witnesses, which is the legal sense.”

Good to know

a leading cause / expert / newspaper. Verb: lead. Everyday: main. Court: a leading question. Public health / exams.

Near in meaning

main

New