What term refers to the leading character in a story?

The term that refers to the leading character in a story is the protagonist. The protagonist is central to the plot and typically faces challenges and conflicts that drive the narrative forward. This character is often the one with whom audiences empathize or root for, as their journey often reflects the main themes of the story.

In contrast, the antagonist is a character who opposes the protagonist, creating conflict. Supporting characters provide additional depth to the narrative but do not drive the story's main action. A foil character serves to highlight certain traits of the protagonist through contrast, usually by displaying opposing qualities or characteristics. Thus, the protagonist is clearly distinguished as the main character, making it the correct term in this context.