heroism
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of heroism
Explanation
When you think of heroism, you might think of great acts of bravery, such as rushing into burning buildings and facing danger in battle. Heroism consists of putting others first, even at your own peril. The noun heroism comes from the Greek hērōs, which referred to a demigod. As someone who shows great courage and valor is referred to as a hero, their actions are considered to be acts of heroism. 19th Century lawyer Robert Green Ingersoll said it well: “When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death — that is heroism.”
Vocabulary lists containing heroism
Veterans Day Vocabulary
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Vocabulary about elements of an epic
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"The Necklace" and "The Fashion Show"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dana Andrews is a decorated bombardier who returns to the same soda fountain job he held before the war, discovering that military heroism doesn’t necessarily translate into peacetime opportunity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
"I cannot wait" to bring "her fight, her love, her losses, her talent and her heroism to the big screen," the Grammy winner added.
From Barron's ● May 12, 2026
In a post on Telegram on Tuesday morning, Kondratiev said firefighters and other rescuers were working in "extremely difficult conditions", and he described their efforts as "true heroism".
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
Iskander’s David is a young man whose youthful piety and heroism make him a sympathetic figure, notwithstanding the bag of cold cuts.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2026
This wasn’t a unique experiment, though, and nor was patriotic heroism confined to music.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
