leading man

noun

: an actor who plays the leading male role

Examples of leading man in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since then, the world has expanded and splintered and niche-ified itself in ways even Wolfe—who was certainly the leading man in his own movie, strolling down Madison Avenue in a white three-piece suit and homburg hat as the culture wars of the 60s raged on—might not have imagined. Julia Vitale, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025 In an interview with PEOPLE in September, Welch pulled back the curtain on her Chad Powers appearance and recalled meeting Powell, the show’s leading man. Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025 The nine-bedroom, 15-bath Brentwood property was once owned by Taylor, one of the most famous leading men of his era with a film, television, and singing career that lasted from the ‘30s through the ‘60s. Partner Content, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 And then to have that come from a leading man type. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading man

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading man was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Leading man.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20man. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading man

noun
: an actor who plays the leading male role in a play or movie

More from Merriam-Webster on leading man

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