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

The series uses archive footage and stylised recreations, and expert analysis from historians and academics to chart the rise to power of each queen, while investigating key aspects of their reign. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2026

And despite its challenges, the department store model Macy's helped to create will probably never completely disappear, according to department store historian, Lisicky. —Randy Tucker, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

The historian Cassius Dio heaved a sigh of relief that those women who entered the arena under Titus were not from the elite. —Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

What started as places to store presidential papers for historians have turned into flashy personal museums. —Jim Geraghty, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for historian

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

Kids Definition

historian

noun

his·​to·​ri·​an his-ˈtōr-ē-ən 

-ˈtȯr-, 

-ˈtär-

: a student or writer of history