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

Sigourney Weaver may have built her career as Alien’s Ripley, one of the great heroines of American blockbusters, but the three-time Oscar nominee has spent decades avoiding any semblance of typecasting. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 20 Dec. 2025

Look no further than its heroine for baby name inspiration. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

All would be well in the world except for our heroine, our goddess, our ICON, Sylvie, is chugging vodka and smoking a cigarette and NOT in a fun way. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025

Our heroine is Buttercup (Robin Wright), a beautiful maiden from the mythical land of Florin. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 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