historian
Americannoun
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an expert in history; authority on history.
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a writer of history; chronicler.
noun
Etymology
Origin of historian
Explanation
A historian is someone who is an authority on history. Your American History textbook was written by a historian. If you've ever taken a history class, chances are it was taught by a historian — someone who is an expert on history. You don't get to be a historian overnight; most historians have studied history for years and have a Master's or Ph.D. in history. If you want an informed opinion on past elections, wars, disasters, and trends, talk to a historian or read a book by one. Historians are experts on the past.
Vocabulary lists containing historian
"Mysteries of the Ancient Past"
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"The Sword in the Stone" and "Was There a Real King Arthur?"
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Week 5: Into the Past
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a historian of racism, Kendi has always known that racism is global.
From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026
Ganpatrao also took her to music directors, hoping to profit from her talent and exerting control over her, causing her great hardship, Mangeshkar told film historian Nasrin Munni Kabir.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026
As a historian of Jewish gender and antisemitism, I know the connections between misogyny and antisemitism have deep roots.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
Popcorn became the go-to movie snack during the 1930s as theaters sought new revenue streams during the Great Depression, said film historian Ross Melnick, a professor at UC Santa Barbara.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
“Jefferson sold several young men with a propensity for running away,” Monticello historian Lucia Stanton explains, “in accordance with his policy of ridding his domain of disruptive elements.”
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
