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

• 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

For the family drama, about a film director father Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgard), estranged from his two adult daughters, theater actress Nora (Reinsve) and academic historian Agnes (newcomer Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), Trier drops the irony. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

Members also recalled a presentation on author Jane Austen by historian Lucy Worsley. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Room for Disagreement Abundance, the book, got a critical read from left-wing historian Trevor Jackson in the NYRB. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. —Time, 8 Sep. 2025

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