leading
     adj 1: 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" [syn: {leading(p)}, {prima(p)},
             {star(p)}, {starring(p)}, {stellar(a)}]
     2: going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way;
        "we rode in the leading car"; "the leading edge of
        technology" [ant: {following}]
     3: greatest in importance or degree or significance or
        achievement; "our greatest statesmen"; "the country's
        leading poet"; "a preeminent archeologist" [syn: {greatest},
         {leading(a)}, {preeminent}]
     4: having the leading position or higher score in a contest;
        "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant
        race" [syn: {ahead(p)}, {in the lead}]
     5: purposefully formulated to elicit a desired response; "a
        leading question"
     n 1: thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in
          printing [syn: {lead}]
     2: the activity of leading; "his leadership inspired the team"
        [syn: {leadership}]