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

Schwartz is a local historian and expert archivist. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. —Time, 16 Sep. 2025

Robert Redford had four children with his ex-wife, historian Lola Van Wagenen. —Hannah Parry amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

In another sign that Wisconsin maritime historians are in a golden period of discovery, a wooden schooner hidden beneath the depths of Lake Michigan for nearly 140 years has been found — with citizen scientists on board to share the excitement. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 15 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