leadership

noun

lead·​er·​ship ˈlē-dər-ˌship How to pronounce leadership (audio)
Synonyms of leadership
1
: the office or position of a leader
recently assumed the leadership of the company
2
: capacity to lead
a politician who lacks leadership
3
: the act or an instance of leading
… leadership molds individuals into a team …—Harold Koontz and Cyril O'Donnell
4
: leaders
the party leadership

Examples of leadership in a Sentence

a politician who lacks leadership What this country needs is the exercise of strong leadership!
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.
The appointment fills a key leadership vacancy atop the nation's largest military branch. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The Wednesday event included a facility tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony with bank leadership and local government officials. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 Raman pointed to a larger trend, saying the city, under Bass’ leadership, had taken funding away from climate priorities such as urban trees. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 For navy leadership, too, the status quo is easier than pushing for major change. — Holmes Liao, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadership

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of leadership was in 1765

Phrases Containing leadership

Rhymes for leadership

See All Rhymes for leadership

Browse Nearby Words

leader pin
leadership
leader tape
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leadership.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leadership. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on leadership

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leadership

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leadership

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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