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

Some of opera’s greatest heroines have stories that unfold over the course of three acts. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024

Once Nell arrives at her hometown, this unusual heroine starts to look more peculiar still. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024

The film centers on the relationship between its heroine, Hazel, and her emotionally distant father, Abuelo, a character loosrly based on Curi's own father. —David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Ever the humble professionals, the K-pop heroines and their loyal fans have earned the right to comfortably settle into a new, happier routine after growing for nearly nine years together. —Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024

Furiosa Stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth Present Together at Oscars 2024 Miller, 79, originally hoped to have Theron star in the prequel, portraying a younger version of the post-apocalyptic heroine. —Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024

Illustrations and paintings of Joan of Arc, a national heroine of France who led troops to a historic victory in 1429, often depict her wearing a breastplate, with and without its surrounding armor. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024

Yet, Monteverde and co-writer Rod Barr mostly concentrate on the series of repetitive verbal confrontations and, despite the overwrought length of their project, neglect to construct a portrait of this heroine that reveals her humanity or even her relationship to God. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024

The Iranian French actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi has the eyes of a silent film heroine and the face of a Modigliani. —Ty Burr, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin heroina, from Greek hērōinē, feminine of hērōs

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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