noun
Sagan
SAY-guhn
Sagan (noun) means an informal, jokey unit of measurement equal to at least four billion. Example: “The national debt is easily several sagans of dollars, jokes the columnist.”
noun
1
An informal, jokey unit of measurement equal to at least four billion.
"The national debt is easily several sagans of dollars, jokes the columnist."
"Today, there is a well-known joke unit of measurement called a Sagan. a Sagan is four billion—the smallest number that could fit the description "billions and billions.""
— Gabrielle Borisovna, Carl Sagan (2014)
How to use Sagan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA humorous, informal unit meaning "an enormous number," referencing Carl Sagan's association with the phrase "billions and billions."
When to use it
Informal and jokey — rarely used in serious or technical writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Sagans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The national debt is easily several _____ of dollars, jokes the columnist.
Etymology
Coined from the phrase "billions and billions," popularly (if inaccurately) associated with astronomer Carl Sagan through Johnny Carson's impressions of him.
Rhymes for Sagan
See all rhymes for Sagan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Sagan” mean?
The word “Sagan” means an informal, jokey unit of measurement equal to at least four billion. In plain terms, a humorous, informal unit meaning "an enormous number," referencing Carl Sagan's association with the phrase "billions and billions.".
How do you pronounce “Sagan”?
“Sagan” is pronounced SAY-guhn (/ˈseɪɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Sagan” in a sentence?
Here is “Sagan” used in a sentence: “The national debt is easily several sagans of dollars, jokes the columnist.”
What part of speech is “Sagan”?
“Sagan” is a noun.
