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.
Tveit is quick to defend his leading lady. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025 Passing through an opulent upstairs bedroom are the play’s producer, author, director and leading lady, joined by a critic, an actor who turned down the play’s lead role, and an aspiring thespian responsible for collecting the guests’ coats on a blizzardy night. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025 The skincare doyenne praised by such leading ladies as Jessica Alba, Kelly Rowland and Shay Mitchell, Shani Darden delivers taut, porcelain-like skin with her signature facial—a blend of light chemical peels, oxygen therapy, and microcurrent. Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025 When the fair’s bank account is unexpectedly drained, Gwen returns to discovers that her father, Johnny, is retiring and leaving the business 50-50 to Gwen and her sister, Kate, the fair’s longtime leading lady who resents Gwen’s presence. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 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

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