Valhalla

noun

Val·​hal·​la val-ˈha-lə 

also

väl-ˈhä- 

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

Did you know?

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

César winner Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds), Bradley James (Vikings: Valhalla), and Steven Berkoff (Beverly Hills Cop) have joined Stefan Ruzowitzky’s historical thriller Kristallnacht, which IFT will continue selling in Cannes. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 May 2025

Then, with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders, and the entire golf world watching, Block nailed the 8-foot putt to cash a $288K check and book a trip to Valhalla the next year. —Gerrit Ritt, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Aston Martin has used knowledge gained from developing the Valhalla supercar to upgrade the turbochargers. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025

In Norse mythology, Valhalla is a majestic hall over which the god ODIN rules. —Sally Hoelscher, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for Valhalla

• walhalla
• calla
• gala
• palla
• salah
• valla

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Kids Definition

Valhalla

noun

Val·​hal·​la val-ˈhal-ə 

: 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"