historian

noun

his·​to·​ri·​an hi-ˈstȯr-ē-ən 

-ˈstär-

1

: a student or writer of history

especially : one who produces a scholarly synthesis

2

: a writer or compiler of a chronicle

Synonyms of historian

• chronicler

Examples of historian in a Sentence

historians are still trying to sort out fact from fiction in the story of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks

Recent Examples on the Web

Team historian Jay Horwitz shared the news, prompting an outpouring of support from the Mets community. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Indeed, the role of first lady has long been traditional — so much so that historians note the exceptions, such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton. — Jenny Jarvie follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

When film historian and Noir City Film Festival founder Eddie Muller was looking for a music director, Rossi was a natural choice. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Spanish-American art historian Salvador Salort-Pons has announced the discovery of a previously unattributed portrait by Spanish Baroque painter Diego Velázquez. — Theo Belci, Artforum, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for historian

• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• saurian
• gregorian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• pythagorean
• valedictorian

Kids Definition

historian

noun

his·​to·​ri·​an his-ˈtōr-ē-ən 

-ˈtȯr-, 

-ˈtär-

: a student or writer of history