saga

[ sah-guh ]

noun

1. a medieval Icelandic or Norse prose narrative of achievements and events in the history of a personage, family, etc.
2. any narrative or legend of heroic exploits.

   Synonyms: history, tale, epic

3. Also called saga novel. a form of the novel in which the members or generations of a family or social group are chronicled in a long and leisurely narrative.
4. a dramatic history of a group, place, industry, etc.:

   the saga of the transcontinental railroad.

5. any very long story with dramatic events or parts:

   the sad saga of her life in poverty.

saga

/ ˈsɑːɡə /

noun

1. any of several medieval prose narratives written in Iceland and recounting the exploits of a hero or a family
2. any similar heroic narrative
3. Also calledsaga novel a series of novels about several generations or members of a family
4. any other artistic production said to resemble a saga
5. informal.
   a series of events or a story stretching over a long period

Word History and Origins

Origin of saga¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from Old Norse: literally, “story, narrative, history”; cognate with saw ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of saga¹

C18: from Old Norse: a narrative; related to Old English secgan to say ¹

Example Sentences

No genre gesture goes untapped in the deliberately hagiographic “Mary,” a coming-of-age saga about the mother of Jesus.

From New York Times

The saga of this pesticide, which has the unwieldy name chlorpyrifos, is a stark reminder of why so many Americans are alarmed about industrial farming and the food supply.

From New York Times

His art dealer, Georges Berges, suggested in a statement on Instagram Monday that the pardon offered a bookend to the saga.

From Los Angeles Times

Robert Eggers makes his most ambitious film yet with Viking saga ‘The Northman,’ combining historical accuracy with a fantasy mysticism.

From Los Angeles Times

Arguably, the Monk's terrifying and/or hilarious saga offered a local corollary to the specter that's haunting all of Europe, and nowhere more than Ireland: Trump's impending second term.

From Salon