Galahad
Americannoun
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Arthurian Legend. Sir Galahad, the noblest and purest knight of the Round Table, who gained possession of the Holy Grail: son of Lancelot and Elaine.
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a man showing devotion to the highest ideals.
noun
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(in Arthurian legend) the most virtuous knight of the Round Table, destined to regain the Holy Grail; son of Lancelot and Elaine
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a pure or noble man
Etymology
Origin of Galahad
First recorded in 1850–55 Galahad for def. 2; earlier Galaad, Galahaut, of disputed origin; perhaps from Welsh Gwalchaved, Gwalcheved, equivalent to gwalch “hawk” + haf “summer”; alternatively, perhaps ultimately from Gilead ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first part references Galahad, a knight known for his upright and noble character, reflecting the animal's upright posture.
From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026
Like Tennyson’s Sir Galahad, he has the strength of 10 because his heart is pure.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
Mike Hermanis, from Newport, who was also 19 when he was a Guardsman on the Sir Galahad, said the new testimony from Capt Green made for "shocking reading".
From BBC • May 14, 2023
Karen Edwards' brother was one of 48 men killed when the Sir Galahad ship was attacked during the Falklands War.
From BBC • May 14, 2023
“Do you mean Galahad? Was he bearing the vergescu?”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
