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

The Aston Martin Valhalla packs a power punch and delivers a number of firsts for the company. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The Valhalla made its debut way back in 2019 in the guise of the AM-RB 03 concept. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024

Head the other way, and the Valhalla is more powerful (and arguably more exotically designed) than the Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Revuelto, but those are both less expensive. —Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Lynley The new adaptation of Elizabeth George’s best-selling Inspector Lynley crime novels stars Leo Suter (Vikings: Valhalla) as Lynley and Sofia Barclay (Ted Lasso) as Havers. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 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"