leading-edge
At the forefront
Leading-edge describes something at the forefront of development or innovation: leading-edge technology, leading-edge research.
The term comes from aviation, where the leading edge is the front of a wing—the part that meets the air first.
The hyphenated form works as an adjective; without the hyphen, it's a noun phrase: the leading edge of the wing, at the leading edge of the field.
Most technologically advanced available
- high-techUsing newest innovations
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- next-generationNewer, improved iteration
- innovationCreating something original
sophisticated · advanced · futuristic · high-performance · next-gen · digital · automation · R&D
Being the first through
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- pathfindingCalculating efficient travel routes
- first-moverInitial market participant
frontier · exploration · discovery · uncharted · experimental · novel · unprecedented · original
Most prominent position
- front-runnerLikely winner
- spearheadLead an effort
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
innovator · pioneer · pace-setter · forerunner · trendsetter · first · ahead · frontline
Lift-generating curved surface
- wingLimb enabling flight
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- rotorSpinning mechanical assembly
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
propeller · slat · flap · chord · aerodynamic · lift · stall · laminar
Currently in style
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- chicTasteful, current flair
- hipFashionable or pelvic joint
modish · vogue · trendy · zeitgeist · new-wave · fresh · contemporary · modern
state-of-the-art
Most technologically advanced available
- high-techUsing newest innovations
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- next-generationNewer, improved iteration
innovation · sophisticated · advanced · futuristic · high-performance · next-gen · digital · automation · R&D · prototype
trailblazing
Being the first through
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- pathfindingCalculating efficient travel routes
first-mover · frontier · exploration · discovery · uncharted · experimental · novel · unprecedented · original · visionary
forefront
Most prominent position
- front-runnerLikely winner
- spearheadLead an effort
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
trailblazer · innovator · pioneer · pace-setter · forerunner · trendsetter · first · ahead · frontline · point
airfoil
Lift-generating curved surface
turbine · propeller · slat · flap · chord · aerodynamic · lift · stall · laminar · sweep
fashionable
Currently in style
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
- chicTasteful, current flair
hip · modish · vogue · trendy · zeitgeist · new-wave · fresh · contemporary · modern · current
- descriptorsnew, novel, original, innovative, modern
- technologyelectronics, computing, computer, internet, social media
leading-edgeoutdated
No longer in use
obsolete · antiquated · old-fashioned · outmoded · dated
leading-edgeconventional
Following accepted practices
backward-looking · traditional · conservative · orthodox · reactionary
edge, lead, leader, leading, leadership, edged, leads, misleading, edging