# saxons

/ˈsæksənz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/saxons
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a group of people from northern Europe who moved to and lived in England many centuries ago. They helped shape the English language and culture we know today.

For teachers: a member of a Germanic people that inhabited parts of central and northern Germany and settled in southern and eastern Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries.

## Examples

- The Saxons built many small villages across the countryside.
- Historians study how the Saxons eventually merged with other groups like the Angles to form the early English identity.
- The archaeological site revealed several well-preserved Saxon dwellings, providing insight into the daily lives and social structures of these early medieval settlers before the Viking age.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in the plural to refer to the ethnic group or historical population.

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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.