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history

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noun British English pronunciation: history /ˈhɪst(ə)ri/ 
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singularhistory
pluralhistories
 
  1. 1
    [uncountable] the whole of time before the present, and all things that happened in that time
    in recorded history:

    These temperatures are the highest in recorded history.

    throughout history:

    Attitudes to gender roles have changed throughout history.

    recent history:

    Simpson is perhaps the most famous American in recent history to be charged with murder.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
    1. a.
      [singular/uncountable] the things that have happened in a particular place or to a particular group of people

      I'm writing a book on this area's history.

      The University has a distinguished history.

      the history of Spain

      world/Western history

      a chequered history (=in which both good and bad things have happened):

      an unusual building with a chequered history

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
    2. b.
      [countable/uncountable] all the things that a particular person has done or experienced

      I feel like a part of my history has been taken away.

      medical history:

      It's important to consider a child's medical history.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
    3. c.
      [singular/uncountable] the way that a particular subject or object has developed or changed throughout its existence

      the history of economic thought

      literary/archaeological history

      a landmark in the history of something:

      This book was a landmark in the history of English fiction.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
  2. 2
    [uncountable] the study of the events of the past

    He teaches history at the local school.

    history books

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
  3. 3
    [countable] an account of the events that happened during a particular period of the past
    history of:

    a history of the Romans

    The book provides a comprehensive history of the Second World War.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history
  4. 4
    [countable/uncountable] the length of time that something has existed

    For the first time in its 70-year history the club has admitted women members.

    trace something's history (=follow or describe something's past, back to a particular time):

    The village can trace its history back to 1078.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of history

phrases

This is the British English definition of history. View American English definition of history.

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