What does "leading light" mean?

An acclaimed expert, one of the foremost experts, a luminary.

What is a synonym for "leading light"?

Common synonyms include: chief, electronics king, first-rater, genius, guiding light, honcho.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
An acclaimed expert, one of the foremost experts, a luminary. idiomatic
"Stephen Hawking is a leading light in physics, people say he's the greatest physicist since Einstein."
2
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others wordnet
3
A light that helps to guide vessels into a port.

"Stephen Hawking is a leading light in physics, people say he's the greatest physicist since Einstein."