history

All the events that happened in the past, especially those involving a country, people, or place.

• This town has a long history.
• War has changed the history of many countries.
• People have told stories throughout history.

How to use it: the history of something (The museum explains the history of our town.)

Similar words: the past

Common phrases: ancient history, human history, history of something, throughout history

The study of events in the past, or the school subject about them.

• I study history at school.
• Our history teacher showed us some old maps.
• She earned a degree in history last year.

Common phrases: study history, history teacher, history class, history degree

In 'make history', to do something so important or new that people will remember it.

• Their team made history today.
• She made history as the first woman to lead the company.
• This discovery could make history.

Common phrases: make history, help make history

A record of something happening repeatedly to a person or organization, especially illness or bad behaviour.

• He has a history of heart problems.
• The school checked her history of poor attendance.
• Does your family have a history of diabetes?

How to use it: have a history of something/doing something (The company has a history of ignoring complaints.)

Similar words: record, track record

Common phrases: history of something, medical history, family history, have a history

In 'go down in history', to be remembered by later generations for something important.

• That day will go down in history.
• She went down in history as a brave leader.
• Will this invention go down in history?

How to use it: go down in history as someone/something (He will go down in history as a great inventor.)

Common phrases: go down in history, history as something

A book or written account that describes events in the past.

• I bought a history of Rome.
• She wrote two histories of the same period.
• This illustrated history includes maps and photographs.

How to use it: a history of something (He published a history of the railway.)

Similar words: historical account, chronicle

Common phrases: a history of something, write a history, illustrated history, brief history