Phrase guide

leading light

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An acclaimed expert, one of the foremost experts, a luminary.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Stephen Hawking is a leading light in physics, people say he's the greatest physicist since Einstein.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A light that helps to guide vessels into a port.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: navigation

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a celebrity who is an inspiration to others

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he was host to a large gathering of luminaries

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: luminary, guiding light, notable, notability

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: celebrity, famous person

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Māori: matariki — an acclaimed expert