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

Barbara had a childhood friend whose name, Cherry, became the name of the heroine in her two novels. —Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2026

Cinematographer Isaac Bauman’s camera never stops moving, as an independent narrator telling a different story than the one starring our heroine. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026

Morrone proves herself quite an adept horror heroine, keeping Rachel grounded in a likable and earthy relatability even as her mental state spirals in direct proportion to the escalating terror around her. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2026

Cinematographer Isaac Bauman’s eye never stops moving — an independent narrator telling a different story than the one starring our heroine. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 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