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
With two All-Star starters leading the way, the Knicks have a foundation unlike any in recent history.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
With most of the top names off the board, the Blue Jays could opt for an affordable veteran with a history of success over a younger star like Jack Flaherty.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
And if a patient has a history of anxiety, their provider will typically be even quicker to assume that physical symptoms are a recurrence, rather than a sign of something new.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Betting in baseball is particularly shameful given the league’s history with the Black Sox (1919) and Pete Rose (1990) scandals and given that betting on games played by one’s own team can trigger a lifetime ban.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for history 
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Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025
With most of the top names off the board, the Blue Jays could opt for an affordable veteran with a history of success over a younger star like Jack Flaherty.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
And if a patient has a history of anxiety, their provider will typically be even quicker to assume that physical symptoms are a recurrence, rather than a sign of something new.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Betting in baseball is particularly shameful given the league’s history with the Black Sox (1919) and Pete Rose (1990) scandals and given that betting on games played by one’s own team can trigger a lifetime ban.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for history
Dictionary Entries Near history
Cite this Entry
“History.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/history. Accessed 2 Feb. 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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