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

Arie and Chuko Esiri’s Clarissa transports Woolf’s infamous heroine to Lagos. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Throughout her career, Rossum has always gravitated toward imperfect heroines. — Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

In Sinclair Lewis’s 1917 novel The Job, the heroine, Una, sees it all quite plainly. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

The third and final season of the HBO series opens with its heroine, an aging sitcom actress named Valerie Cherish, receiving an offer to star in a new multi-cam. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 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