1 a a person or thing that leads. b a person followed by others.
2 a the principal player in a music group or of the first violins in an orchestra. b US a conductor of an orchestra.
3 Brit. = leading article.
4 a short strip of non-functioning material at each end of a reel of film or recording tape for connection to the spool.
5 (in full Leader of the House) Brit. a member of the government officially responsible for initiating business in Parliament.
6 a shoot of a plant at the apex of a stem or of the main branch.
7 (in pl.) Printing a series of dots or dashes across the page to guide the eye, esp. in tabulated material.
8 the horse placed at the front in a team or pair.
Derivatives:
leaderless adj. leadership n.
Etymology: OE laeligdere (as LEAD(1))
Useful english dictionary. 2012.