Valkyrie

noun

Val·​ky·​rie ˈval-k(ə-)rē 

also

val-ˈkir-ē  val-ˈkī-rē 

: any of the maidens of Odin who choose the heroes to be slain in battle and conduct them to Valhalla

Examples of Valkyrie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, a little one with a name like Valkyrie, Raven, or Justice isn’t likely to be a shrinking violet. —Christin Perry, Parents, 25 Oct. 2024

The baby, Valkyrie Willis, died in utero, prosecutors said. —CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024

Unbelievable Aero Play/Pause Button Pause Video: Ferrari Like the Aston Martin Valkyrie and W1, the F80 utilizes ground effect aerodynamics. —Jason Barlow, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024

Amber Waterman, 44, was sentenced to consecutive life sentences in federal prison without parole in connection with the October 2022 deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby, Valkyrie Willis, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a press release on Oct. 15. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German & Old Norse; German Walküre, borrowed from Old Norse valkyrja, going back to Germanic *wala-kuzjōn- (whence Old English wælcyrige "war goddess, sorceress"), from *wala- (whence Old Norse valr "the slain," Old English wæl) + -kuzjōn-, nominal derivative from the base of *keusan- "to choose" (whence Old English cēosan) — more at valhalla, choose

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Valkyrie

noun

Val·​kyr·​ie

val-ˈkir-ē

: any of the maidens in Norse mythology who take slain heroes to Valhalla