Viking

[vahy-king]

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.

Viking

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Viking¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Viking¹

C19: from Old Norse vīkingr, probably from vīk creek, sea inlet + -ingr (see _-ing ³); perhaps related to Old English wīc camp

Example Sentences

The Minnesota Vikings were the victims, unable to move the ball Thursday night against a unit that looked shaky and unsure of itself in a humbling loss to Indianapolis the previous Sunday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Enter the Vikings, who have alternated wins and losses all season and are coming off a six-point loss to Philadelphia.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Everything you need to know about the Chargers vs. the Minnesota Vikings in NFL Week 8, including how to watch, betting odds and a prediction on who will win.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"You're talking from the times of the druids and the Vikings right through to the Romans," he said.

Read more on BBC

The undead who wrestled with Vikings on Iceland had counterparts throughout Northern Europe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal