a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
"RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain"
the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem
"The director insisted that we cast her as the hero of the new period drama, even though she had never acted before."
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
"The ancient text was written by Hero, a first-century Greek mathematician known for his work on calculating triangular areas and inventing early mechanical devices."
(classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god
"In Greek myths, Hercules is a classic hero who performed twelve impossible labors before ascending to Mount Olympus."
(Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her
"The tragic tale of Hero, the temple keeper who leaped into the sea after learning that her beloved Leander had perished in the strait, remains one of mythology's most heartbreaking stories."
a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States
"After running errands all day, I was starving enough to devour an entire hero from the corner deli."
Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
"When the fire broke out, the firefighter became a true hero by rushing into the burning building to save the trapped children without hesitation."
In plain English: A hero is someone who does brave and amazing things to help others.
"The firefighter was hailed as a hero for saving the cat from the burning building."
Usage: Use "hero" to describe a person admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Reserve this term for individuals who perform extraordinary deeds rather than using it as casual praise for anyone you like.
Any of a number of legendary men and women, including the priestess loved by Leander.
"After reading about the tragic love story of Hero and Leander, I realized that ancient Greek myths often feature such devoted figures as heroes."
The word "hero" entered English via French and Latin from the Ancient Greek term for a demi-god or hero. While its ultimate origin may trace back to an Indo-European root meaning "to watch over," it specifically replaced earlier Middle English words like "haleð."