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

There’s an art historian named Bevis Hillier and he’s credited with taking that phrase, ‘arts décoratifs,’ and turning it into Art Deco. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

The model for the painting (disputed by some historians) was allegedly Simonetta Vespucci (née Cattaneo), a renowned beauty in Florentine high society whom Botticelli greatly admired. — ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

In this gripping true narrative, historian Matt O’Hara introduces us to the opportunists, adventurers, and chancers who raced both to find curare and figure out a way to make money off it. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

An amateur historian has stumbled upon a provocative clue to the enduring mystery of what became of a notorious pirate who raided a royal Indian treasure ship centuries ago, implicating a co-conspirator whose name is familiar to many New Yorkers. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 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