ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leader

n.
US //ˈɫidɝ// UK //lˈiːdɐ// lead·er
  1. 1 person in charge (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the person who guides or controls a group, organisation, or country.

    an individual who exercises authority or guidance over a collective entity, such as a political party, corporation, or nation.

    Example

    The team leader decided to change the project deadline after talking to the client.

    Example

    The political leader addressed the assembly, outlining a vision for economic reform that aimed to unify the fractured coalition.
  2. 2 frontrunner (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    the person or team that is currently winning a race or competition.

    the participant currently occupying the first position in a competitive event or ranking.

    Example

    The marathon leader is currently two minutes ahead of the other runners.

    Example

    As the race entered its final lap, the leader maintained a narrow advantage despite the aggressive pursuit of the chasing pack.
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  1. 3 newspaper article (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Formal

    the main article in a newspaper that gives the editor's opinion.

    a leading article or editorial in a newspaper, typically expressing the publication's official stance on a current issue.

    Example

    Today's leader in the newspaper discusses the importance of recycling.

    Example

    The Sunday edition featured a scathing leader that criticised the government's failure to address the rising cost of living.
  2. 4 fishing line (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Sport

    a short piece of strong line used to attach a hook to the main fishing line.

    a short length of line, often made of wire or heavy monofilament, attached between the main fishing line and the lure or hook.

    Example

    He used a wire leader to prevent the sharp teeth of the fish from cutting the line.

    Example

    The angler carefully inspected the fluorocarbon leader for abrasions before casting into the rocky shallows where the predatory fish were known to hide.
    • tippet
  3. 5 botany/trees (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the main upward-growing stem of a tree or plant.

    the primary terminal shoot of a plant, particularly the central upright stem of a coniferous tree.

    Example

    The gardener trimmed the side branches to help the main leader grow taller.

    Example

    Damage to the central leader can result in a stunted or misshapen tree, as lateral branches compete to establish apical dominance.
Origin

From Middle English leder, ledere, from Old English lǣdere (“leader”), from Proto-West Germanic *laidijārī (“leader”), equivalent to lead + -er. Cognate with Scots ledar, leidar (“leader”), West Frisian lieder (“leader”), Dutch leider (“leader”), German Leiter (“leader, conductor, manager”), Danish leder (“leader, manager”), Swedish ledare (“leader, conductor, director”), Icelandic leiðari (“leader, conductor”).

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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