cultural history

American  

[kuhl-cher-uhl his-tree, his-tuh-ree] / ˈkʌl tʃər əl ˈhɪs tri, ˈhɪs tə ri /

noun

cultural histories plural

1. a study or account of a society's past that focuses on aspects of culture, such as the development of ideas, the arts, religion, lifestyle, etc., rather than primarily political events.

2. a study or account of a particular period in the past that compares and contrasts major cultures active at the time in terms of their rise and fall and the forces at work, including contact with each other and mutual influence.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cultural historian
  noun
• cultural-historical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• cultural histories
  plural

Example Sentences

Rebuilding Leonardo's genetic profile would mark a major milestone in both science and cultural history.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

Centering community stories has been Molina’s approach to cultural history for decades.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

At a recent exhibition in Mumbai city - called A History of India through Chairs - more than 200 chairs mapped the country's cultural history through their unique designs and woodwork.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Since they were introduced in the 19th century, America’s amusement parks have acted as time capsules for the young country’s cultural history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

The Islands have a long and complex cultural history, but are most known for their rich African-American heritage as white plantation owners left the islands in the 19th century leaving their slaves behind.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin