lead time

noun

ˈlēd- How to pronounce lead time (audio)
: 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
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.
While many nations were already moving towards taking over their maternal and child health needs, lead times for orders can be a year or more, five former USAID officials said. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 Operationally, Geraghty is prioritizing domestic production to shorten lead times. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 However, reducing formwork lead times could help remove one bottleneck in building complex nuclear infrastructure. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Building a new factory, outfitting it for production, and actually producing vaccine doses could require a significant amount of lead time. — Joel Dodge, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lead time

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead time was in 1944

Rhymes for lead time

See All Rhymes for lead time

Browse Nearby Words

lead the world
lead time
lead to
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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