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

Amy Adams is mesmerizing as our troubled heroine, with Patricia Clarkson as her overbearing mother and Eliza Scanlen as her mysterious half-sister. — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Similarly, his stance that his teenage heroines are more willing and better equipped emotionally to forgive, heal and reconcile than their parents might have benefited from a modicum of conflict or pushback from the older generation. — James Marsh, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Some internet users questioned why Hilton decided to be the princess instead of casting her young daughter as the heroine. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

Once cast by some observers as the villain to Clark’s heroine, Reese has fought her way to the front of the pack and is now hoping to bask in the game’s brightest spotlight alone. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

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