leading article
C2Formal; Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine that expresses the opinion of the editor or publisher on a topical issue.
In a literal but uncommon use, an article (piece of writing) that is the most prominent or comes first.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A 'leading article' is nearly always a synonym for an 'editorial' (US) or 'leader' (UK). It is an authoritative statement of a publication's institutional stance. The literal meaning of the first article is archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'leading article' or 'leader' is standard. In American English, 'editorial' is vastly more common; 'leading article' is rare and would be understood as a formal synonym.
Connotations
In the UK, 'leading article' sounds formal and traditional. In the US, using 'leading article' might sound deliberately British or archaic.
Frequency
High frequency in UK formal journalism; low frequency in US English, where 'editorial' dominates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [Newspaper] published a leading article on [Topic].The leading article argued that [Proposition].In its leading article, [Newspaper] called for [Action].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when discussing media influence: 'The FT's leading article moved markets.'
Academic
Used in media studies or political science to analyze institutional opinion.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely in discussions about news media.
Technical
A term within journalism and publishing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Times will lead with an article on the economy tomorrow.
American English
- The Post led with a story about the election results.
adverb
British English
- The company is leading the market in innovation.
American English
- She is leading the charge for reform.
adjective
British English
- She is a leading expert in her field.
American English
- He played a leading role in the negotiations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I read the leading article in the paper.
- The leading article discussed the problems in the city.
- In its leading article, the Guardian criticised the government's new policy.
- The newspaper's leading article, a trenchant critique of fiscal policy, sparked considerable debate among commentators.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The newspaper is LEADING (guiding) public opinion with this ARTICLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEWSPAPER AS GUIDE (The publication leads/guides public thought). VOICE OF THE INSTITUTION (The article is the vocal stance of the organization).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'ведущая статья' in the sense of 'main article' (which could be a news report). The correct equivalent is 'передовая статья' or 'редакционная статья'.
- Avoid confusing with 'feature article' (развернутая статья, материал).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'leading article' to mean simply the most important news story (use 'lead story' or 'front-page story').
- Confusing it with an opinion piece by a named columnist (a 'column' or 'op-ed').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is LEAST synonymous with 'leading article' in modern journalism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in essence. 'Leading article' (or 'leader') is the British term, while 'editorial' is the dominant American term for the same concept: the official opinion of the publication.
While often drafted by a senior editor or journalist, it represents the collective view of the editorial board or publication, not the individual author's personal opinion.
Traditionally, it is prominently placed, often on the second page or the editorial page, clearly marked as 'Editorial' or 'Leader'.
A 'leading article' is the publication's own institutional voice. An 'op-ed' (opposite the editorial page) is a signed piece expressing the personal opinion of an external contributor or columnist.