Engineering English
Leading Edge
Aerospace Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: The forward edge of an airfoil or wing where the airflow first makes contact. Its shape influences laminar flow and stall characteristics.
Example in context
“The leading edge of the wing must be smooth to maintain laminar flow at cruise conditions.”
“Kanadın hücum kenarı, seyir koşullarında laminer akışı korumak için pürüzsüz olmalıdır.”
Where engineers use it
An engineer inspects the leading edge during pre-flight checks and during aerodynamic design to optimize high-lift devices and prevent premature separation.
Synonyms: LE
Antonyms: trailing edge
Practice: can you use “Leading Edge” at work?
You are asked to choose a leading edge radius for a new transport wing that must achieve high lift at low speeds while minimizing drag at cruise.
Show a model answer
“The leading edge shape directly affects stall speed.”
“Leading Edge” in 21 languages
| English | Leading Edge |
|---|---|
| Turkish | hücum kenarı |
| French | bord d'attaque |
| German | Vorderkante |
| Spanish | borde de ataque |
| Chinese | 前缘 |
| Arabic | الحافة الأمامية |
| Portuguese | bordo de ataque |
| Russian | передняя кромка |
| Japanese | 前縁 |
| Italian | bordo d'attacco |
| Vietnamese | cạnh trước |
| Hindi | अग्र किनारा |
| Thai | ขอบนำ |
| Indonesian | tepi depan |
| Korean | 앞전 |
| Bengali | লিডিং এজ |
| Dutch | voorrand |
| Swedish | framkant |
| Finnish | johtoreuna |
| Ukrainian | передня кромка |
Frequently asked questions
What does Leading Edge mean in engineering?
The forward edge of an airfoil or wing where the airflow first makes contact. Its shape influences laminar flow and stall characteristics. In Aerospace Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Leading Edge?
Leading Edge is pronounced /ˈliːdɪŋ ɛdʒ/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Leading Edge used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The leading edge of the wing must be smooth to maintain laminar flow at cruise conditions.”
This entry is one of 7,806 terms in the Engineering English iOS app — with quizzes, spaced repetition and pronunciation checking.
Get the app on the App Store