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 Stonewall Monument is the only site within the national park system dedicated to LGBTQ+ history, which makes its preservation all the more meaningful to activists and historians. —Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

Joe Palaggi is a writer and historian whose work sits at the crossroads of theology, politics, and American civic culture. —Joe Palaggi, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026

Cipolla was an economist, historian, and popular Italian academic who died at the turn of the millennium. —Jonny Thomson, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026

Several local historians estimate the total number of potentially historic cottages at more than 300. —Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 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