leader

[[t]li͟ːdə(r)[/t]]

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leaders

1) N-COUNT: usu N of n, n N The leader of a group of people or an organization is the person who is in control of it or in charge of it.

...the leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague...

But in either case, it is the head of the party with the largest number of members in the legislature who becomes the country's leader.

2) N-COUNT The leader at a particular point in a race or competition is the person who is winning at that point.

The leaders came in two minutes clear of the field...

The world drivers' championship leader crossed the line ahead of Sweden's Ingvar Carlsson.

3) N-COUNT The leader among a range of products or companies is the one that is most successful.

Procter & Gamble is the leader in the mass market cosmetics industry.

4) N-COUNT The leader of an orchestra is the most senior violin player, who acts as a deputy to the conductor. [BRIT]

(in AM, use concertmaster)

5) N-COUNT The leader of an orchestra is the conductor. [AM]

6) N-COUNT A leader in a newspaper is a piece of writing which gives the editor's opinion on an important news item. [BRIT]

(in AM, use editorial)

7) N-COUNT A leader in a newspaper is the most important story in it. [AM]

(in BRIT, use lead, lead story)