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

The character began as a beloved video game heroine before Angelina Jolie took her to the big screen in 2001 and Alicia Vikander reimagined her in 2018. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025

Sisters, in particular, influence the thoughts, opinions and actions of many of Austen’s heroines, acting as confidantes or foils. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

In them, Emily Bader can be seen embodying heroine Poppy Wright, a travel writer in a rut, opposite Tom Blyth as the dapper Alex Nilsen, her estranged best friend who leads a high school English class. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Frances Burney’s Cecilia (1782) has another character praise its heroine, Miss Cecilia Beverley, as an excellent walker. —Literary Hub, 4 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