history

noun

his·​to·​ry ˈhi-st(ə-)rē 

plural histories

1

: tale, story

2

a

: a chronological record of significant events (such as those affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes

a history of Japan

b

: a treatise presenting systematically related natural phenomena (as of geography, animals, or plants)

an illustrated history of North American birds

c

: an account of a patient's medical background

reviewing her medical history

d

: an established record

a prisoner with a history of violence

3

: a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events

medieval history

4

a

: events that form the subject matter of a history

the history of space exploration

b

: events of the past

History has shown that such efforts rarely succeed.

c

: one that is finished or done for

the winning streak was history

you're history

d

: previous treatment, handling, or experience (as of a metal)

a history of repeated exposure to freezing temperatures

Synonyms of history

• annals
• record

Examples of history in a Sentence

I studied history in college.

a professor of medieval history

They were one of the greatest teams in history.

It was one of the most destructive storms in modern history.

It was a period in American history when most people lived and worked on farms.

The history of space exploration is a fascinating topic.

He wrote a well-known history of the British empire.

The book begins with a brief history of the Internet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bart Bart Starr led the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls ever played, making this moniker ideal for football history buffs. — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026

His departure concludes one of the most successful coaching tenures in junior college football history. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Following his 2019 essay for the New Yorker, Murakami recounts a compelling history of fatherhood, family and obligation, transforming an uncanny childhood memory into a deeply personal history. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Viral food trends may offer an easy entry point to exploring a new cuisine, said Shereshewsky, but don’t let that overshadow the history of a dish. — Rebecca Boone, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English histoire, historie, from Anglo-French estoire, histoire, from Latin historia, from Greek, inquiry, history, from histōr, istōr knowing, learned; akin to Greek eidenai to know — more at wit

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing history

• ancient history
• (can) trace one's history (back) to
• case history
• checkered history
• credit history
• employment history
• family history
• go down in history
• history in the making
• history is on someone's side
• history repeats itself
• history shows/has shown
• life history
• make history
• medical history
• natural history
• oral history
• pass into history
• rewrite history
• the course of history
• the rest is history

Rhymes for history

• mystery
• consistory
• ethnohistory

Kids Definition

history

noun

his·​to·​ry ˈhis-t(ə-)rē 

plural histories

1

: a story of real or imaginary events

2

a

: a written record of important events and their causes

b

: a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events

c

: events that form the topics of a history

Medical Definition

history

noun

his·​to·​ry ˈhis-t(ə-)rē 

plural histories

: an account of a patient's family and personal background and past and present health