Discover the meaning of halcyon in Greek mythology—the peaceful days linked to Alcyone and Ceyx, when storms calm and kingfishers nest. (of a period of time in the past) peaceful and happy. Definition of halcyon adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning , pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Out of pity, the gods transformed the couple into kingfishers, known as ' halcyon birds '. Ancient Greeks believed that these birds made nests on the calm seas during the ' halcyon days ', a period of tranquility amidst winter storms, reflecting the word's modern definition of peace and serenity. The meaning of HALCYON is 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.
