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

Our heroine is left for dead as Tyler disappears into the woods. —Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025

But to be fair, when have studio executives ever foamed at the mouth to make an arthouse horror film set in the world of ballet, one that ends with its heroine taking her own life? —Keaton Bell, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2025

This is not to say that our heroine is not a self-sabotaging dupe. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2025

Part one of Wednesday season two left the show’s morose heroine on a massive cliffhanger — and the new trailer for the season’s second part offers only more questions about what is to come for the Addams daughter. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 14 Aug. 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