leading lady

noun

: an actress who plays the leading female role

Examples of leading lady 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.
Brooklyn’s two leading ladies Kawamoto and Rohrabacher both went 7-1 for the weekend to power their team to an undefeated weekend as well. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 The film also features leading lady Ruth, played by Serayah, as well as Phylicia Rashad, who plays Naomi. Essence Editors, Essence, 6 July 2025 The series launched the careers of a number of its stars, including Shia LaBeouf, who won a Daytime Emmy in 2003 for the role of Louis Anthony Stevens, and Christy Carlson Romano, who went on to voice the leading lady in Kim Possible. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 17 June 2025 The actor has charm to spare, chemistry with leading lady Alexis Floyd and has given his alter ego a cocksure swagger that neatly straddles the line between confident and obnoxious. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for leading lady

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leading lady was in 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leading lady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leading%20lady. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

leading lady

noun
: an actress who plays the leading female role in a play or movie

More from Merriam-Webster on leading lady

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!