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

Many historians are prone to view the radical press of the early nineteenth century with dewy-eyed admiration and to deplore the later erosion of standards as newspapers grew more commercial and sensationalist. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Investigators worked with researchers, historians, journalists and witnesses to piece together the location of the mass graves. — Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

And in 2017, historian Alberto (Carlos González) struggles to figure out how the two preceding tales intersect, stumped until an academic (Glenn Close in a brief, striking cameo) steps in to help. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

From Black historians to disability scholars, archivists to musicians, film is a global medium through which people learn about the world and each other. — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 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