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

Like the great tragic heroines, Marissa isn’t driven by vengeance but by inevitability, by the realization that the love that once sustained her family has also doomed it. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 6 Nov. 2025

Our cranky heroine is played by Saul alum Rhea Seehorn, beloved by fans of the spin-off but far from a household name. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025

Berman embeds these views in her heroines’ discussions about writing, which are the way their friendship grows. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025

And then there's the great strength of the survivor girl, the heroine running through all of them. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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