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 book’s heroine, Catherine Morland, is an avid reader of the popular novels of the day, and has a specific fondness for Ann Radcliffe’s real-life 1794 best seller, The Mysteries of Udolpho, a tale of ghostly figures and hidden manuscripts. —Erin Somers, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

Seyfried plays the titular heroine, a real-world figure who lived in the 18th century and founded the Shakers, a religious movement that championed gender equality and communal living, and whose followers expressed faith through dance. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026

The film stars Zazie Beetz (our heroine, easy enough to root for), Myha’la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2026

The Apothecary Diaries — one of the most acclaimed new titles in recent years — is at its heart a mystery show, anchored by an exceedingly likable heroine. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Jan. 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