heroine

noun

her·​o·​ine ˈher-ə-wən  ˈhir- 

ˈhe-rə-

1

a

: a mythological or legendary woman often of divine descent having great strength or ability

b

: a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities

American heroines such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks

remembered as the heroine of the flood

2

a

: the principal female character in a literary or dramatic work

the heroine of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

b

: the central female figure in an event or period

Examples of heroine in a Sentence

The town remembered her as the heroine of the flood and erected a statue in her honor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Emilia Pérez tells the story of its titular heroine (Gascón), a ruthless drug dealer who undergoes gender transition, in part, to avoid legal persecution. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

Khansa Batma, who played the film’s heroine, received the Orizzonti Best Actress award at the 2020 Venice International Film Festival. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

Elsbeth, one of the few big network procedurals of recent years, is built on the old Columbo model of detective storytelling, in which the engine is not about discovering the culprit but whether the heroine will figure out how to bring the culprit to justice. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

Inspired by a gothic heroine returning to screens this year, Gothmas celebrates moody magic through black lace, celestial motifs, and mystical accessories. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin heroina, from Greek hērōinē, feminine of hērōs

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for heroine

• heroin

Kids Definition

heroine

noun

her·​o·​ine ˈher-ə-wən 

1

: a woman in legends or myths who has great courage and daring

2

: a woman admired for her achievements and qualities

3

: the chief female figure in a literary work or in an event or period