Valhalla

noun

Val·​hal·​la val-ˈha-lə How to pronounce Valhalla (audio)
also
väl-ˈhä- How to pronounce Valhalla (audio)
1
: the great hall in Norse mythology where heroes slain in battle are received
2
: a place of honor, glory, or happiness : heaven
an academic's Valhalla

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In Norse mythology, the souls of warriors who died nobly in battle were brought to a magnificent palace, where they spent their days fighting for diversion, immune from lasting injury, and their evenings lustily feasting on freshly killed boar and quaffing the free-flowing mead. In Old Norse, the word for this warrior heaven is Valhǫll (literally, "hall of the slain"); in German, it is Walhalla. English speakers picked up the name as Valhalla in the 18th century. Nowadays, we can use the word figuratively, and induction or admission into a modern-day Valhalla doesn't require passing from this life. It can be a place of honor (a hall of fame, for example) or a place of bliss (as in "an ice cream lover's Valhalla").

Examples of Valhalla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Through it all, year by year, Indian Wells became a tennis Valhalla. Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The group has launched a plug-in version of its $800,000 Valhalla supercar. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 29 Feb. 2024 The brand’s first hybrid supercar, the Valhalla, is expected to go into production later this year. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 Those to watch out for in 2024 are Panama, Valhalla, Galahad and Leyden. Alexander Belokrylov, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Rancho Buena Vista blanked Fallbrook 3-0, but had to go to OT to beat Valhalla 3-2. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024 Other shows previously announced to be saying goodbye after their next seasons, but without a final season premiere date (or year) officially announced, include Cobra Kai, Good Omens, The Handmaid's Tale, Outlander, Stranger Things, Vikings: Valhalla, and You. EW.com, 22 Jan. 2024 Central Union was second with five, and Valhalla had four. Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider are super-popular open-world adventure titles, while Borderlands 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 are blockbuster first-person shooters. Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Valhalla.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German and Old Norse; German Walhalla, borrowed from Old Norse Valhǫll, literally, "hall of the slain," from valr "the slain" (akin to Old English wæl "slaughter, the slain" and probably to Latin vulnus "wound") + hǫll "hall"; akin to Old English heall "hall" — more at vulnerable, hall

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Valhalla was in 1768

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Cite this Entry

“Valhalla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Valhalla. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Valhalla

noun
Val·​hal·​la val-ˈhal-ə How to pronounce Valhalla (audio)
: the hall of Odin in Norse mythology to which the Valkyries take heroes killed in battle
Etymology

derived from an early Norse word Valhǫll, literally "hall of the slain," from valr "those slain (in battle)" and hǫll "hall"

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