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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Norse legend, they were known as the bridge to Valhalla. AFAR Media, 26 June 2025 While the show shares creative lineage with the 2013-20 History series Vikings and the 2022-25 Netflix follow-up Vikings: Valhalla — all three are based on historical figures and produced by MGM Television — Bloodaxe is not directly related to those efforts. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 June 2025 The Monarchs beat Valhalla in the final game of the regular season to get to .500, made the CIF San Diego Section playoffs as the 64th team in a 64-team field and then got hot. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025 The 31-year-old won’t be in the last group Sunday, but last year’s PGA runner-up at Valhalla is still within striking distance. Joseph Person, New York Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Valhalla

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 2 Jul. 2025.

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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