The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DOMINANT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
D
O
M
I
N
A
N
T
More clues leading to the result DOMINANT
- Playing badminton topless is coming to the fore
- Party sweet stuffed with bits of aniseed and nuts on top
- Central American new in polo, perhaps to finish first
- Party worker after a short time is in command
- Leading man I suspect, about which a word of caution?
- Refrain from taking out main ruling
- So controlling!
- Masterful man I don’t upset
- Not a mind prepared to be masterful
- Major fifth
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Leading" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case leading = dominant.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DOMINANT mean?
DOMINANT noun- The fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.
- The triad built on the dominant tone.
- A gene that is dominant.
- A species or organism that is dominant.
- (BDSM) The dominating partner in sadomasochistic sexual activity.
- Ruling; governing; prevailing
- Predominant, common, prevalent, of greatest importance.
- Designating the follicle which will survive atresia and permit ovulation.