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
The government collapsed in December from a no-confidence vote over budgetary disputes for the first time since 1962, and Barnier was ousted after the shortest tenure in the history of the Fifth Republic.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
The majority held that the right to end a pregnancy was found neither in the text of the Constitution nor in the nation's history, erasing a reproductive right the high court established nearly five decades ago.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The shoppers and history buffs of the pack will enjoy Vienna, while the outdoor enthusiasts can explore Salzburg and Innsbruck.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
For the first time in human history, your intelligence will no longer be critical to your survival.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for history
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show current usage.
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Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
The majority held that the right to end a pregnancy was found neither in the text of the Constitution nor in the nation's history, erasing a reproductive right the high court established nearly five decades ago.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The shoppers and history buffs of the pack will enjoy Vienna, while the outdoor enthusiasts can explore Salzburg and Innsbruck.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
For the first time in human history, your intelligence will no longer be critical to your survival.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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