WordNet
n. actress who plays the leading female role
Wikipedia
''for the 1991 Marina Prior album, see Leading Lady (album) Leading lady is an term often applied to the leading actress in the performance if her character is the protagonist. It is also an informal term for the actress who plays a secondary lead, usually a love interest, to the leading actor in a film or play.
A leading lady can also be an actress of renown. For example, Lynn Fontanne and Helen Hayes were both referred to as the "leading lady of the theatre" in their time. Similarly, Mary Pickford was called the "leading lady" of the cinema.
The term has been applied to an actress who is often associated with one particular actor. For example, Olivia de Havilland was Errol Flynn's leading lady in several films, Katharine Hepburn had a similar association with Spencer Tracy, Lauren Bacall with Humphrey Bogart, and Maureen O'Hara with John Wayne. A leading lady is also an actress who is typecast in romantic supporting roles.
The term can also be used collectively; for example, the phrase " Hollywood's leading ladies" can be used to refer to a group of notable, famous, or popular actresses.
Many modern day leading ladies includes: Jennifer Aniston, Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, Claire Danes, Viola Davis, Mariska Hargitay, Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, Anna Kendrick, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendes, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Rebel Wilson, and Kate Winslet.
''for the 2015 greatest hits album by Marina Prior, see Leading Lady: The Ultimate Collection
Leading Lady is the debut studio album by Australian singer Marina Prior, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Brian Stacey). The album was released in November 1991 and peaked at number 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart in December and was certified platinum.
Usage examples of "leading lady".
The eunuch owed allegiance to no one but the Caliph-and if the Caliph were to order him to behead the leading lady of the realm, the slave would surely do it.
Privately, Captain Pausert thought that the people of Karres, living in their tranquil houses in the forest, with their wonderful music, might just show the statuesque leading lady another side of culture.
Two hours later, Jenna was still quailing, despite the outward charm of her smile for the maitre d' at Luigi's, the most fashionable of the restaurants owned by increasingly wealthy members of New York's leading Lady of Heaven Temple.
As well as her Grand Prix money, Fen, as leading lady rider of the show, had won a full-length fur coat.
For ten minutes he remained alone on the stage, absorbing abusive tuition from Mr Miller: and at the end of that period a further ten minutes was occupied with the rehearsing of the number with the leading lady and the rest of the male chorus.