Viking

American  

[vahy-king] / ˈvaɪ kɪŋ /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

Vikings plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Vikings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Viking

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

Example Sentences

But the most Norwegian thing about this man from the fjords who looks and plays like a Viking is how he was raised as a boy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

An authentic Viking ship called the Draken that Nolan’s team found in Norway fit the bill exactly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Long before kick-off, thousands of Norway supporters had gathered outside the stadium, many draped in Viking helmets, waving giant red flags and singing songs that have become familiar throughout this World Cup.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

He said, however, he was impressed by a giant "Viking row" performed by Norwegian fans in the Manhattan intersection, where thousands simultaneously chanted "Row!" while pulling imaginary oars.

From Barron's • Jun. 27, 2026

Preliminary radar surveys suggested that as much as a quarter to a third of the surface area of Mars might be radar-dark, and therefore dangerous for Viking.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan