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

Of course Swift’s legion of devotees would scoff at the notion that their heroine was anything but a pop goddess, their very own Glinda the Good Witch sent to comfort with lyrical poetry and aid crumpled hearts. —Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Created by the Wicked musical scribe Winnie Holzman, the teen drama made a star out of Claire Danes, who played the show’s heroine, 15-year-old Angela, through the ups and downs of early high school life. —Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025

Additionally, in-game bundles grant access to resistance heroines Anya Oliwa and Caroline Becker, as well as Frau Engel. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Like certain heroines of Henry James, her favorite writer, Alice flaunted a chic that was notable in a backwater. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 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