cultural history

American  

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

noun

plural

cultural histories

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

• cultural historian
  noun
• cultural-historical
  adjective

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

"This process was essential because the findings are deeply connected to Colombia's medical and cultural history," said Delgado.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

She is author of six other books of nonfiction, a professor of literary and cultural history who has taught at multiple universities, and an internationally recognized wine writer and a winemaker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

Alun is a senior lecturer in history who specialises in early modern medicine and has devoted years to researching the cultural history of beards - a niche that he realised was lacking on social media.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025

We shall therefore trace writing’s development not only because of its inherent importance, but also for the general insights into cultural history that it provides.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond