history

noun his·to·ry \ ˈhi-st(ə-)rē \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of history

plural histories

1 : tale, story

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

See history defined for English-language learners

See history defined for kids

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 of history from the Web

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who joined the young Orioles organization way back in 1955 and became one of the most beloved players in the history of Major League Baseball, has rejoined the team in an advisory position.

— peter schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Schmuck: Orioles finally welcome Brooks Robinson home, name him special advisor," 15 July 2018
Of course, with James Jones now a Suns executive, there is history there.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Winderman: Faith in Heat future extends beyond organization itself | Commentary," 14 July 2018
Ending the third-longest losing streak in the 22-year history of MLS on Saturday night was certainly a good start.

— mike bianchi, Pro Soccer USA, "James O’Connor is finally forcing Orlando City’s players to look in the mirror," 14 July 2018
At a very recent meeting of the Massachusetts Medical Society, this gentleman read a paper giving a history of the case, and presented the veritable skull which sustained the injury.

— daniel c. schlenoff, Scientific American, "“Foul Treachery” of Trotsky and Lenin in 1918; Phineas Gage’s Brain in 1868," 13 July 2018
Human nature is not on authoritarianism’s side, nor is history.

— james stavridis, Time, "Democracy Isn't Perfect, But It Will Still Prevail," 12 July 2018
Reporter Allison Ross analyzed thousands of pages of documents, looked through minutes of meetings and interviewed dozens of people to get an understanding of the history of the arena's funding and its debt issues.

— louisville courier journal, The Courier-Journal, "HOW WE DID THE STORY," 12 July 2018
That is, if temple history buffs can raise $500,000 to bring this different kind of phantasm completely into the light.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "What’s behind ’60s-era paneling at El Korah Shrine? A ballroom’s worth of ’20s art.," 12 July 2018
Carly Mask When the history of the great micromobility wars of 2018 is written, readers will quickly notice a cycle repeating itself.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "How cities should regulate the scooter surge," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'history.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of history

Middle English histoire, historie, from Anglo-French estoire, histoire, from Latin historia, from Greek, inquiry, history, from histōr, istōr knowing, learned; akin to Greek eidenai to know — more at wit

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year