HEROISM

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does heroism mean? 

• HEROISM (noun)
  The noun HEROISM has 1 sense:

1. the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

  Familiarity information: HEROISM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HEROISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

gallantry; heroism; valiance; valiancy; valor; valorousness; valour

Context example:

he received a medal for valor

Hypernyms ("heroism" is a kind of...):

braveness; bravery; courage; courageousness (a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear)

 Context examples 

Such advances towards heroism in her sister, made Elinor feel equal to any thing herself.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features—so much for her person; and not less unpropitious for heroism seemed her mind.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

It has everything in its favour: heroism, danger, bustle, fashion.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

It was an age of heroism and of folly.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She could not be complying, she dreaded being quarrelsome; her heroism reached only to silence.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

But to a Genevan magistrate, whose mind was occupied by far other ideas than those of devotion and heroism, this elevation of mind had much the appearance of madness.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

What instances must pass before them of ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude, patience, resignation: of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble us most.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Nor could the heroism and the folly be kept apart, for there were few who could quite escape the contagion of the times.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It is a name of heroism and renown; of kings, princes, and knights; and seems to breathe the spirit of chivalry and warm affections.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He spoke this with a voice so modulated to the different feelings expressed in his speech, with an eye so full of lofty design and heroism, that can you wonder that these men were moved?

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)