1. [n]  the activity of leading; "his leadership inspired the team"
2. [n]  thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
3. [adj]  going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way; "we rode in the leading car"; "the leading edge of technology"
4. [adj]  purposefully formulated to elicit a desired response; "a leading question"
5. [adj]  having the leading position or higher score in a contest; "he is ahead by a pawn"; "the leading team in the pennant race"

LEADING is a 7 letter word that starts with L.

1. \Lead"ing\, a.
   Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading
   motive; a leading man; a leading example. -- {Lead"ing*ly},
   adv.
   
   {Leading case} (Law), a reported decision which has come to
      be regarded as settling the law of the question involved.
      --Abbott.
   
   {Leading motive} [a translation of G. leitmotif] (Mus.), a
      guiding theme; in the modern music drama of Wagner, a
      marked melodic phrase or short passage which always
      accompanies the reappearance of a certain person,
      situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the
      play; a sort of musical label.
   
   {Leading note} (Mus.), the seventh note or tone in the
      ascending major scale; the sensible note.
   
   {Leading question}, a question so framed as to guide the
      person questioned in making his reply.
   
   {Leading strings}, strings by which children are supported
      when beginning to walk.
   
   {To be in leading strings}, to be in a state of infancy or
      dependence, or under the guidance of others.
   
   {Leading wheel}, a wheel situated before the driving wheels
      of a locomotive engine.
   
   

2. \Lead"ing\, n.
   1. The act of guiding, directing, governing, or enticing;
      guidance. --Shak.
   
   2. Suggestion; hint; example. [Archaic] --Bacon.
   
   

/ledding/ The spacing between lines of text. This is defined when a font is designed but can often be altered in order to change the appearance of the text or for special effects. It is measured in points and is normally 120% of the height of the text.

See also kerning, tracking.