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

The Valkyrie’s new 2025 inaugural season jerseys are slated to be available for purchase by the beginning of February 2025. —Kanika Talwar, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Related Stories The Aston Martin Valkyrie Just Shattered a Major Lap Record by More Than 10 Seconds This Broken Tesla Cybertruck Went Viral. —Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024

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

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