Valhalla
noun
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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
John Devore, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
The full cast of Norse godhood is here, specifically Thor — who is portrayed like Valhalla’s meanest bar bouncer.
—Luke Winkie, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025
Although fuel consumption figures haven’t been stated, the Valhalla will use a 400v system and a high-voltage battery.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
In a study presented at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology by lead study author Dr. Shoshana Marmon, assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College in Valhalla, researchers found that menopause is a critical factor in skin health and disease progression.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Valhalla
Cite this Entry
“Valhalla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Valhalla. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Valhalla
noun
derived from an early Norse word Valhǫll, literally "hall of the slain," from valr "those slain (in battle)" and hǫll "hall"
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