natural history

noun

1

: a treatise on some aspect of nature

2

: the natural development of something (such as an organism or disease) over a period of time

3

: the study of natural objects especially in the field from an amateur or popular point of view

Examples of natural history in a Sentence

the natural history of bees

We went to the Natural History Museum.

Recent Examples on the Web

Santa Barbara is home to all kinds of museums—from art and science to natural history and heritage sites. —Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Prairiefire, at 135th Street and Nall Avenue, is anchored by a natural history museum and features retailers unique to the region. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026

Accordingly, Plimsoll’s creative director of natural history, Alex Ranken, will lead Plimsoll Immersive while continuing to make content for broadcast television. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026

X-raying the past The setting for this natural history drama is a deep limestone sinkhole in Hispaniola. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for natural history

• consistory
• ethnohistory
• mystery

Kids Definition

natural history

noun

: the study of natural objects and especially plants and animals as they live in nature from an amateur or popular point of view

Medical Definition

natural history

noun

: the natural development of something (as an organism or disease) over a period of time

increasing knowledge of the natural histories of tumors

—H. S. N. Greene