historian

noun

his·​to·​ri·​an hi-ˈstȯr-ē-ən 

-ˈstär-

1

: a student or writer of history

especially : one who produces a scholarly synthesis

2

: a writer or compiler of a chronicle

Synonyms

• annalist
• chronicler

Examples of historian in a Sentence

historians are still trying to sort out fact from fiction in the story of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks

Recent Examples on the Web

In an article recently published in the journal PLOS One, historians announced the discovery of Tel Shiqmona, an archaeological mound south of the Israeli city of Haifa. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025

Being raised by a historian led her to follow her mother’s footsteps. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025

Chris Smothers, professional genealogist for 15 years and historian studying at Simmons University, told ABC News that these were the same territories at the time. —Elizabeth Thomas, ABC News, 9 May 2025

According to a family historian who researched his genealogy, the new pontiff has Creole of color roots in New Orleans, Louisiana. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for historian

• gregorian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• mauryan
• saurian
• pythagorean
• valedictorian

Kids Definition

historian

noun

his·​to·​ri·​an his-ˈtōr-ē-ən 

-ˈtȯr-,

-ˈtär-

: a student or writer of history