female role; female part
Used for a role written for a woman in film, theater, or other performance contexts.
彼女はその映画で主役の女役を演じた。
She played the lead female role in that movie.
occupation deemed fit for a woman
Refers to a job or profession traditionally considered suitable for women. Can carry a slightly dated or stereotypical nuance.
昔は看護師は女役と見なされていた。
In the past, nursing was considered an occupation for women.
passive role in male homosexual relationship
Slang term for the receptive or 'bottom' partner in a male homosexual relationship.
彼はゲイコミュニティで女役を務めることが多い。
He often takes the passive role in the gay community.
Compound of 女 (おんな, 'woman') and 役 (やく, 'role'). The slang sense is a semantic extension of the 'female role' meaning.