leading light

noun

: a prominent and influential member (as of a community or church)

Examples of leading light in a Sentence

He is one of the leading lights of the labor movement.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Classically French, this has been one of the leading lights of the country for over 40 years, standing witness to economic cycles and steady cultural change. Paul Caputo, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 James McNicholas Is Mohamed Salah still Liverpool’s leading light? James McNicholas, The Athletic, 31 July 2024 The breakdown of globalization is, of course, the goal of many of the leading lights of the Trump administration. Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2019 Miliband recruited a number of its leading lights to work directly for him. David Runciman, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2013 See all Example Sentences for leading light 

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading light was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near leading light

Cite this Entry

“Leading light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20light. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

leading light

noun
: a prominent and influential member (as of a field of study or political movement)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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