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

In Jacques Audiard's cartel musical, Gomez plays Jessi, the wife to Karla Sofía Gascón's titular heroine, a trans woman who's trying to escape her violent past as a cartel boss. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024

That’s when our heroine — a mermaid who dreams of living on land and exploring the human world — is transformed into a human and launches her quest to win the affections of a prince despite having lost her voice in the magical bargain. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 12 Dec. 2024

Anuja isn’t portrayed as a victim but as the heroine of her own journey. —Sunil Sadarangani, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024

The monologue, first staged in 1930, consists of one side of a phone call between a nameless heroine and her ex. —Alex Barasch, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 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