: 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
Lever 2: Use Geography to Your Advantage Relocating supply chains closer to end markets can reduce lead times, skirt tariffs, and increase responsiveness.
—
Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
This means longer lead times when forecasters feel confident that wind and storm surge will significantly impact land areas.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Sourcing and customs delays are extending lead times and making fulfillment timelines harder to predict, especially for cross-border inventory.
—Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
As even novice distance runners know, the usual lead time for training is, at minimum, 16 weeks.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
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.
Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
This means longer lead times when forecasters feel confident that wind and storm surge will significantly impact land areas.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Sourcing and customs delays are extending lead times and making fulfillment timelines harder to predict, especially for cross-border inventory.
—Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
As even novice distance runners know, the usual lead time for training is, at minimum, 16 weeks.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lead time
Cite this Entry
“Lead time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20time. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share