Viking

American  

[vahy-king] / ˈvaɪ kɪŋ /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. any of the Scandinavian pirates who plundered the coasts of Europe from the 8th to 10th centuries.

2. a sea-roving bandit; pirate.

3. a Scandinavian.

4. U.S. Aerospace. one of a series of space probes that obtained scientific information about Mars.

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Viking British  

/ ˈvaɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. Also called: Norseman.   Northman.  any of the Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes who raided by sea most of N and W Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries, later often settling, as in parts of Britain

2. any sea rover, plunderer, or pirate

3. either of two unmanned American spacecraft that reached Mars in 1976

4. (modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of a Viking or Vikings

   a Viking ship

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Etymology

Origin of Viking

1800–10; < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse vīkingr; compare Old English wīcing pirate; etymology disputed

Example Sentences

Readers will find engrossing case studies of well-known disasters such as the Titanic and the USS Indianapolis, as well as sections on bygone Viking wrecks and the mysterious “ghost ships” of seafaring lore.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Young, who previously ran the award-winning Ginger Viking cocktail bar in Blandford, also worked for 15 years as an engineer.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

The upscale cruise operator said Thursday that Leah Talactac, previously Viking president and chief financial officer, would be its new CEO, effective immediately.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Viking has rewarded shareholders with solid growth since its IPO.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The water came to his shoulders and almost covered his back, so that he looked like a dog-headed Viking ship on a mighty river.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles