chiefly Scotland
: a perceptible but small amount
: a metaphorical compound word or phrase (such as swan-road for ocean) used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
Examples of kenning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jonah Walters,
Longreads,
24 Oct. 2024
Most of the writers attempting to imitate Tolkien weren’t steeped in the rhythm of Old English kennings, or the spiritual yearning of chivalric romance.
—
Matthew Gavin Frank,
Harper's Magazine,
2 June 2023
My favorite parts of the book are those where there's a new kenning.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
14 Apr. 2023
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Noun
This is a kenning that evokes a natural transition to darkness and also an unfinished human endeavor.
—
Jonah Walters,
Longreads,
24 Oct. 2024
Most of the writers attempting to imitate Tolkien weren’t steeped in the rhythm of Old English kennings, or the spiritual yearning of chivalric romance.
—
Matthew Gavin Frank,
Harper's Magazine,
2 June 2023
My favorite parts of the book are those where there's a new kenning.
—
Jennifer Ouellette,
Ars Technica,
14 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Kenning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kenning. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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