: 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
Despite famously long lead times, tastemakers from Frank Sinatra to Jackie Kennedy, who wanted one for her yacht, quickly placed orders.
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Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 19 Dec. 2024
Its streamlined processes reduce project lead times, giving TechnipFMC a major competitive advantage, according to the Wall Street investment bank.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Long and variable lead times are the bane of a manufacturing supply chain.
—Steve Banker, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Amtech's backlog at the end of the fiscal year was $25.3 million, a decrease from $51.8 million, reflecting improved lead times and a decline in demand.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time 
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Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 19 Dec. 2024
Its streamlined processes reduce project lead times, giving TechnipFMC a major competitive advantage, according to the Wall Street investment bank.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Long and variable lead times are the bane of a manufacturing supply chain.
—Steve Banker, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Amtech's backlog at the end of the fiscal year was $25.3 million, a decrease from $51.8 million, reflecting improved lead times and a decline in demand.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time
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 30 Dec. 2024.
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