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

Darius Arya, an archeologist and historian, with Hiddleston in the ancient city of Herculaneum. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

The view from Tehran The enemy has a vote, as military historians like to say, and Iran appears confident of its ability to inflict damage. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

López Maya, the historian, noted that after the dictator Juan Vicente Gómez died, in the thirties, prison gates were opened. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Many historians believe American soldiers encountered french fries in Belgium during World War I, where French was widely spoken, helping popularize the name. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 20 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