Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

halberd

/ˈhæl.bɚd/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.05 in modern English

Syllables: hal-berd
IPA: /ˈhæl.bɚd/

13

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A two-handed pole weapon, consisting of a long pole with an axe-like blade mounted on it (at a right angle like an axe, not on the tip like a spear), and (opposite the blade) typically a spike or hook.

Etymology

(1495) Middle French hallebarde, from Italian alabarda, from Middle High German helmbarte (“broad-axe with handle”), from halm, from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle”) + barte (“hatchet”), from *bardaz (“broadax”), literally "beard."

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: hallebarde, alabarda, helmbarte, *helmô

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhæl.bɚd/
British English: /ˈhælbəd/

Inflected Forms

halberds (plural) halbert (alternative) halbard (alternative)

Derived Forms

halberded halberdier halberdman halberdsman

Phrases

halberd fern halberd willow Swiss voulge

Frequently Paired Words

twibill Swiss voulge voulge

Questions

How do you pronounce halberd?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhæl.bɚd/.
What does halberd mean?: A two-handed pole weapon, consisting of a long pole with an axe-like blade mounted on it (at a right angle like an axe, not on the tip like a spear), and (opposite the blade) typically a spike or hook.
Where does halberd come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce halberd

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “halberd”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhæl.bɚd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “halberd”.
Repeat and practice — Say “halberd” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.