: the time between the beginning of a process or project and the appearance of its results
Examples of lead time in a Sentence
We will need at least six months lead time before production begins.
Recent Examples on the Web
The company has already streamlined its supply chain, implementing nearshoring and working to reduce lead times and order more in season to better predict trends and reduce inventories, which has been a key sticking point in H&M’s strategy.
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Alex Wynne, WWD, 27 June 2024
The lead time for tornado warnings is often less than 10 minutes, and progress has been frustratingly slow, especially when compared to other types of severe weather.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 June 2024
Addressing these shortcomings should help attract foreign investment and multinationals looking to shorten supply chain lead times.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Right now, one of the main goals is to extend the lead time for forecasts of how disruptive a geomagnetic storm will be.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time 
Alex Wynne, WWD, 27 June 2024
The lead time for tornado warnings is often less than 10 minutes, and progress has been frustratingly slow, especially when compared to other types of severe weather.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 21 June 2024
Addressing these shortcomings should help attract foreign investment and multinationals looking to shorten supply chain lead times.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Right now, one of the main goals is to extend the lead time for forecasts of how disruptive a geomagnetic storm will be.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lead time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lead time
Cite this Entry
“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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