history
noun
his·to·ry
ˈhi-st(ə-)rē 
plural histories
2
a
: a chronological record of significant events (such as those affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes
a history of Japan
b
: a treatise presenting systematically related natural phenomena (as of geography, animals, or plants)
an illustrated history of North American birds
c
: an account of a patient's medical background
reviewing her medical history
d
: an established record
a prisoner with a history of violence
3
: a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events
medieval history
4
a
: events that form the subject matter of a history
the history of space exploration
b
: events of the past
History has shown that such efforts rarely succeed.
c
: one that is finished or done for
the winning streak was history
you're history
d
: previous treatment, handling, or experience (as of a metal)
a history of repeated exposure to freezing temperatures
Examples of history in a Sentence
I studied history in college.
a professor of medieval history
They were one of the greatest teams in history.
It was one of the most destructive storms in modern history.
It was a period in American history when most people lived and worked on farms.
The history of space exploration is a fascinating topic.
He wrote a well-known history of the British empire.
The book begins with a brief history of the Internet.
Recent Examples on the Web
On Sunday, Spaun became the first golfer in U.S. Open history to win the tournament despite playing three consecutive holes over par in the final round.
—
Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
But the governor invited GOP leaders to brush up on history.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Among these visual narratives is a meditation on the Aba Women’s Rebellion, a pivotal moment in West African anti-colonial history, when thousands of Igbo women organized a massive revolt against the policies imposed by British colonial administrators in southeastern Nigeria.
—Essence, 17 June 2025
The Basketball 100 The story of the greatest players in NBA history.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for history
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
But the governor invited GOP leaders to brush up on history.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Among these visual narratives is a meditation on the Aba Women’s Rebellion, a pivotal moment in West African anti-colonial history, when thousands of Igbo women organized a massive revolt against the policies imposed by British colonial administrators in southeastern Nigeria.
—Essence, 17 June 2025
The Basketball 100 The story of the greatest players in NBA history.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for history
Cite this Entry
“History.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/history. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
history
noun
his·to·ry
ˈhis-t(ə-)rē
plural histories
1
: a story of real or imaginary events
2
a
: a written record of important events and their causes
b
: a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events
c
: events that form the topics of a history
Medical Definition
history
noun
his·to·ry
ˈhis-t(ə-)rē
plural histories
: an account of a patient's family and personal background and past and present health
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