life history

noun

1

: a history of the changes through which an organism passes in its development from the primary stage to its natural death

2

: the history of an individual or thing

Examples of life history in a Sentence

studying the life history of bears

Recent Examples on the Web

Mitigation specialist Elizabeth Vartkessian has been investigating the life histories of those facing the most severe penalties possible in the United States since 2004. —Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026

Once a celebrity commits to being on the show, The Masked Singer team goes through their life history to pick the perfect look. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

Is That Bad for Your Eyes? More enduring pieces of context are life history and personality. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025

Trapdoor spiders in the Bungulla genus are found on Australia’s west coast and little is known about their biology, life history, or burrowing strategies, according to researchers. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for life history

• ethnohistory
• consistory
• mystery

Kids Definition

life history

noun

1

: a history of the changes through which a living thing passes in its development from the first stage to its natural death

2

: life cycle sense 1

Medical Definition

life history

noun

1

a

: a history of the changes through which an organism passes in its development from the primary stage to its natural death

b

: one series of the changes in a life history

2

: the history of an individual's development in his or her social environment