# saracens

/ˈsɛɹəsənz/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/saracens
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a historical name for people from the Middle East, especially those who were Muslim. It is an old word that people used in the past to describe enemies in stories or history books.

For teachers: a historical term for people of the Middle East, particularly those of Muslim faith. Often used in historical or literary contexts to refer to the inhabitants of the Islamic world during the medieval period.

## Examples

- The old stories tell of battles between knights and Saracens.
- Historians use the term Saracens to describe the Muslim forces that clashed with European armies during the Crusades.
- The medieval chronicles often depict Saracens as exotic and formidable adversaries, reflecting the cultural and religious tensions of the era through a lens of European bias.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.