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

In the medium term, Stroll’s strategy means a focus on plug-in hybrids, starting with the Valhalla supercar due next year. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024

Anna Torv, better known for Fringe, and Sam Corlett, better known for Vikings: Valhalla headline the cast as two members of the Lawson family. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2024

Zoe Kazan — the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who directed a 1955 feature film based on the novel — and Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, Vikings: Valhalla) are co-showrunners, with Kazan adapting Steinbeck’s book. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Oct. 2024

Banks' shirt is made by the Til Valhalla Project, which helps provide mental health treatment to U.S. veterans, has renovated veterans' homes and more. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024

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

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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"