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

In 1938, already divided over fundamental aspects of the fish’s life history, the world’s foremost scientific experts gathered in Canada for a Conference on Salmon Problems. —Greg Uyeno, JSTOR Daily, 27 Aug. 2025

Their life histories were replaced by those romantic-comedy plots. —Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 21 June 2025

The researchers’ work focuses on monitoring these animals using innovative tagging technologies — including satellite, acoustic, accelerometer, and camera tags to track the sharks’ habitat use, life history, and impacts of bycatch during commercial and recreational fishing activities. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025

Their slow life histories and key ecological roles make them just as deserving of the highest level of international protection. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 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