# Saxon

/ˈsæksən/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/saxon
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

a member of a group of people from northern Germany who moved to and lived in England a long time ago. They helped form the early English culture and language.

For teachers: a member of a Germanic people that inhabited parts of northern Germany and conquered large parts of southern and eastern Great Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries. Often used in historical contexts to describe the cultural and linguistic foundations of early England.

## Examples

- The Saxons lived in England many centuries ago.
- Archaeologists recently discovered a burial site containing several Saxon artifacts, including iron swords and decorative jewelry.
- The integration of Saxon legal traditions with existing Roman and Celtic customs significantly influenced the development of early medieval governance in the British Isles.

## Usage notes

- When referring to the historical people or their language, the word is capitalized.

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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.