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

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

Not only has Norway come to its first World Cup since 1998 with a signature routine, it has now Viking Rowed its way into the knockout rounds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

These days, Bill enjoys the quiet life in Woodbridge, volunteering at the Long Shed community centre and making marquetry bookmarks and Viking chess boards.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

The above essay is excerpted from the essay “Home Going” in “Freedom” by Zinzi Clemmons, published by Viking this June.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Subsequent observations by the Viking lander support the identification of windblown clays on Mars.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan