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

The futurist, cultural historian and Holocaust survivor who has degrees in sociology and law from UCLA said she was informed of the honor last year by Jennifer Siebel Newsom and recently was honored by the Austrian government with its Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Last month, Manhattan historians at the Merchant's House Museum connected a hidden passageway in the 19th century home to the Underground Railroad. —Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

There are no talking heads, no reminiscing peers, no historians ‘explaining’ Elvis’ impact. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026

The book contains a plethora of history pulled from George’s own research featured on his Instagram page as well as information from other researchers and historians such as Kitty Oliver, former Florida Atlantic University professor and Miami Herald reporter, and local author Deborah Work. —Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

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