Definition of HALCYON (original) (raw)
1
a
: characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity : golden —often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today
the halcyon days of youth
Classics Illustrated have become pricey nostalgia items for those who grew up in the supposedly halcyon years after World War II.—
Donna Richardson
In those halcyon days of the free trade, the fixed price for carrying a box of tea or bale of tobacco from the coast of Galloway to Edinburgh was fifteen shillings …—Sir Walter Scott
2
: of or relating to the halcyon (see halcyon entry 2) or its nesting period
1
: a bird identified with the kingfisher and held in ancient legend to nest at sea about the time of the winter solstice and to calm the waves during incubation
Did you know?
Halcyon has drifted along contentedly in English for centuries, but it hatched from a tumultuous story. According to Greek mythology, Alkyone, the daughter of the god of the winds, became so distraught over her husband Ceyx’s death at sea that she threw herself into the ocean to join him. The gods were moved by the couple’s love, and took pity on them by turning them into halcyon birds, a bird identified with the kingfisher. (Kingfishers are known for plunging into water after prey.) According to the legend, the birds built their nests on the sea, which so charmed Alkyone’s father that he created a period of unusual calm that lasted until the birds' eggs hatched. Our word halcyon reflects the story in multiple ways. When halcyon was first used in English in the 14th century it was as a noun referring to the mythical bird, and later to actual kingfishers as well. Adjective use developed in the 16th century and now most often evokes those calm waters—the word typically describes an idyllic time in the past.
Synonyms
Examples of halcyon in a Sentence
Adjective
a halcyon era following the American Civil War during those early halcyon years the company's potential for growth seemed unlimited
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recall the halcyon days of … oh, really, just eight months ago? —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 The Kings opted to promote assistant coach Doug Christie, a former player during the Kings' halcyon days in the early 2000s, as the club's interim head coach. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The goal isn’t some halcyon, all-forgiving unity between MAGA World and everyone else; too much damage has been done for that. —Whitney Phillips, Wired, 24 Nov. 2020 See all Example Sentences for halcyon 
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Adjective
Middle English alceon, from Latin halcyon, from Greek alkyōn, halkyōn
First Known Use
Adjective
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of halcyon was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near halcyon
Cite this Entry
“Halcyon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halcyon. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 28 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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