history

[ his-tuh-ree, his-tree ]

noun

, plural his·to·ries.

1. the branch of knowledge dealing with past events.
2. a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, person, etc., usually written as a chronological account; chronicle:

   a history of France;

   a medical history of the patient.

   Synonyms: annals, record

3. the aggregate of past events.
4. the record of past events and times, especially in connection with the human race.
5. a past notable for its important, unusual, or interesting events:

   a ship with a history.

6. acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future; immediate but significant happenings:

   Firsthand observers of our space program see history in the making.

7. a systematic account of any set of natural phenomena without particular reference to time:

   a history of the American eagle.

8. a drama representing historical events:

   Shakespeare's comedies, histories, and tragedies.

history

/ ˈhɪstrɪ; ˈhɪstərɪ /

noun

1. 1. a record or account, often chronological in approach, of past events, developments, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a history play

      a history book

2. all that is preserved or remembered of the past, esp in written form
3. the discipline of recording and interpreting past events involving human beings
4. past events, esp when considered as an aggregate
5. an event in the past, esp one that has been forgotten or reduced in importance

   their quarrel was just history

6. the past, background, previous experiences, etc, of a thing or person

   the house had a strange history

7. computing a stored list of the websites that a user has recently visited
8. a play that depicts or is based on historical events
9. a narrative relating the events of a character's life

   the history of Joseph Andrews

Other Words From

• under·histo·ry noun plural underhistories
• un·histo·ry noun plural unhistories

Word History and Origins

Origin of history¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English historie, from Latin historia, from Greek historía “learning or knowing by inquiry, history”; derivative of hístōr “one who knows or sees; learned”; akin to wit ², video, Veda

Word History and Origins

Origin of history¹

C15: from Latin historia, from Greek: enquiry, from historein to narrate, from histōr judge

Idioms and Phrases

see ancient history ; go down (in history) ; make history ; (history) repeats itself .

Synonym Study

See narrative.

Example Sentences

These findings emphasize the importance of ancient DNA in reconstructing human history, demonstrating how traits that once conferred a survival advantage in early Europeans were rendered invisible in the genetic landscape of today.

From Science Daily

But to protect Indian peaches, and a little part of tribal history, John John Brown has been giving out saplings for the better part of a decade to anyone interested in growing them.

From Salon

His father added: “We just feel so lucky and honored to be a small part of such a huge moment in Dodger history.”

From Los Angeles Times

The collaboration is currently analyzing the first three years of collected data and expects to present updated measurements of dark energy and the expansion history of our universe in spring 2025.

From Science Daily

Less than two years ago, a small investment firm in New York City accused the company of stock manipulation and accounting fraud in what it called “the largest con in corporate history.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• account
• annals
• biography
• record
• relation
• story
• tale