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

With the help of professional archeologists, the historians uncovered ancient grave sites, buildings, pieces of sculpture and extensive evidence of craft workshops at the site. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026

Rabbi and historian Gary Zola explains that of the six earliest Jewish congregations in the United States, the three Southern congregations in Savannah, Charleston and Richmond were the first to introduce reforms. — Ashley Walters, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Multi-hyphenate musician Questlove has become known as the industry’s go-to music historian. — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

State historian Doane Robinson wanted to create a monument to the Old West, featuring both pioneers and Native leaders, to attract tourists. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 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