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history

histories

A history is a chronicle of events, like the history of the United States’ mission to put a man on the moon, or the world history class that you have to memorize all those dates for.

History is a noun to describe past events, or an account of something, like the history of New York City. When you describe something as having a history, you’re implying it has an intriguing past. For example, a necklace that’s been passed down through generations has a history. But when you say something's history, what you mean is not that it no longer exists. Your fear of the water is history now that you know how to swim.

Definitions of history
  1. noun
    a record or narrative description of past events
    “a history of France”
    synonyms: account, chronicle, story
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    types:
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    ancient history
    a history of the ancient world
    etymology
    a history of a word
    case history
    detailed record of the background of a person or group under study or treatment
    historical document, historical paper, historical record
    writing having historical value (as opposed to fiction or myth etc.)
    annals, chronological record
    a chronological account of events in successive years
    biography, life, life history, life story
    an account of the series of events making up a person's life
    recital
    a detailed account or description of something
    folk etymology
    a popular but erroneous etymology
    family history
    part of a patient's medical history in which questions are asked in an attempt to find out whether the patient has hereditary tendencies toward particular diseases
    anamnesis, medical history, medical record
    the case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient
    autobiography
    a biography of yourself
    hagiography
    a biography that idealizes or idolizes the person (especially a person who is a saint)
    profile
    biographical sketch
    type of:
    record
    anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
  2. noun
    all that is remembered of the past as preserved in writing; a body of knowledge
    “the dawn of recorded history
    “from the beginning of history
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    type of:
    cognition, knowledge, noesis
    the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
  3. noun
    the aggregate of past events
    “a critical time in the school's history
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    type of:
    past, past times, yesteryear
    the time that has elapsed
  4. noun
    the continuum of events occurring in succession leading from the past to the present and even into the future
    “all of human history
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    type of:
    continuum
    a continuous nonspatial whole or extent or succession in which no part or portion is distinct or distinguishable from adjacent parts
  5. noun
    the discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings
    “he teaches Medieval history
    history takes the long view”
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    type of:
    arts, humanistic discipline, humanities, liberal arts
    studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills (rather than occupational or professional skills)
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘history'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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