leading edge

Noun

leading edge (plural leading edges)

1. (aeronautics) The frontmost edge of a wing or other airfoil of an aircraft; sometimes contains slots or slats.
2. The foremost part of any physical object.

   the leading edge of a cricket bat

3. (by extension) The foremost part of a trend etc; a vanguard.
4. The forefront of practice or technology.

   Synonym: bleeding edge

   • 1996, Computerworld, volume 30, number 21:

     DiBattista advocated balanced webmastery: Don't go to the leading edge if it forces users to buy the latest and greatest Web stuff.

See also

• cutting edge
• bleeding edge