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

Though the film’s primary love story is between the cellmates, there are also the relationships playing out in the fictional movie musical set within the movie, which stars Lopez as an actress playing both the unlucky-in-love heroine and the diabolical Spider Woman of the title. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025

As Bella and Edward become closer, our young heroine not only romanticizes the vampire's ethereal good looks, but also the dominance and constant surveillance of his courtship. —USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025

Now, after 10 years of perfect sweetness, the brand is ready to adult-up, as Agnès Varda’s heroine Cléo did while impatiently awaiting her medical diagnosis. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025

Take a film’s heroine, for example. —Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 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