: 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
Silicon has a long lead time in term of designing and bringing a product to market.
—
Antony Leather, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
The turf needs this lead time to absorb the nutrients before growth ceases in winter.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2024
Verge production and shipping are already underway in Europe, but final homologation testing for the US market means that current lead times for orders sit at about nine months.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 9 July 2024
The lead time and the amount of work that goes into these paintings is extraordinary.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time 
Antony Leather, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024
The turf needs this lead time to absorb the nutrients before growth ceases in winter.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2024
Verge production and shipping are already underway in Europe, but final homologation testing for the US market means that current lead times for orders sit at about nine months.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 9 July 2024
The lead time and the amount of work that goes into these paintings is extraordinary.
—Samantha Conti, WWD, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lead time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lead time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 22 Sep. 2024.
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