- [uncountable] all the events that happened in the past
- in history The battle was a turning point in human history.
- one of the worst disasters in recent history
- throughout history Many people throughout history have dreamt of a world without war.
- a people with no sense of history
- The area was inhabited long before the dawn of recorded history (= before people wrote about events).
- These events changed the course of history.
- This was her attempt to rewrite history with herself in the role of heroine.
Extra ExamplesTopics Historya1- At that time in history, women did just what they were expected to do.
- History shows that New Zealand are almost unbeatable by British teams on their own turf.
- History shows that high approval ratings are no guarantee of re-election.
- She created a piece of history by winning her fourth title.
- The debate about the origins of the universe has been going on throughout recorded history.
- The team grabbed a slice of history here today.
- The war has now faded into history.
- There have been conflicts such as this throughout history.
- This is a fascinating period of history.
- the most extraordinary meeting in history
- things that happened in recent history
- It was one of the worst disasters in recent history.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contemporary
- early
- recent
- …
- piece
- be steeped in
- go down in
- make
- …
- go back to something
- go back…
- reveal something
- …
- book
- during something’s history
- in (something’s) history
- history of
- …
- change the course of history
- a period of history
- the lessons of history
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [singular, uncountable] the past events connected with the development of a particular place, subject, etc.
- the history of science/music/philosophy
- She is an expert in the history of the United States.
- The local history of the area is fascinating.
- The museum traces the history of chocolate.
Extra Examples- The city has a rich and colourful history.
- the official history of the Labour Party
- the early history of the trade union movement
- a building that is steeped in history
- The town's history goes back to Roman times.
- The history of this organization goes back many years.
- The regiment traces its history back to 1803.
- The country has suffered several invasions during its history.
- the best player in the sport's history
- the history of the world
- The school traces its history back to 1865.
- the history of Ireland/democracy/popular music
- This discovery was a major turning point in the history of science.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contemporary
- early
- recent
- …
- piece
- be steeped in
- go down in
- make
- …
- go back to something
- go back…
- reveal something
- …
- book
- during something’s history
- in (something’s) history
- history of
- …
- change the course of history
- a period of history
- the lessons of history
- …
- [uncountable] (also History)the study of past events, especially as a subject at school or university
- a history professor/teacher
- a history lesson/textbook
- a degree in History
- cultural/social/economic/political history
- modern/ancient history
- She's studying art history.
- She studies history of art.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contemporary
- early
- recent
- …
- piece
- be steeped in
- go down in
- make
- …
- go back to something
- go back…
- reveal something
- …
- book
- during something’s history
- in (something’s) history
- history of
- …
- change the course of history
- a period of history
- the lessons of history
- …
- [countable, uncountable] a written or spoken account of real past events
- She's writing a new history of Europe.
- She went on to catalogue a long history of disasters.
- the oral histories of ordinary people
Extra ExamplesTopics Historya2- Ours is the oldest written history in the world.
- There is no true written history of the Pashtun in their own land.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- contemporary
- early
- recent
- …
- piece
- be steeped in
- go down in
- make
- …
- go back to something
- go back…
- reveal something
- …
- book
- during something’s history
- in (something’s) history
- history of
- …
- change the course of history
- a period of history
- the lessons of history
- …
- [countable] the set of facts that are known about somebody/something's past
- I know nothing about his personal history.
- The group has quite a history.
- The doctor will need some details of your medical history.
- [countable, usually singular] a history of something a record of something happening frequently in the past life of a person, family or place
- He has a history of violent crime.
- She has a long history of drug addiction.
- There is a history of heart disease in my family.
Extra Examples- They have a history of trying to interfere.
- The area has a history of subsidence problems.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- chequered/checkered
- colourful/colorful
- fascinating
- …
- have
- history of
- [uncountable] a record kept by a web browser of the web pages and other files it has been used to access
- Clearing your browser history prevents websites from following and tracking your actions.
- [uncountable, singular] history between A and B a relationship between two people, groups, companies, etc. that started in the past and continued for a period of time, especially one involving bad or complicated feelings
- Sure there's history between Anna Mae and me, like you said.
- [countable] a historical play
- Shakespeare's comedies, histories and tragedies
Word Originlate Middle English (also as a verb): via Latin from Greek historia ‘finding out, narrative, history’, from histōr ‘learned, wise man’, from an Indo-European root shared by wit ‘have knowledge’.
Idioms
See history in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee history in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe history
- (informal) to be dead or no longer important
- Another mistake like that and you're history.
- We won't talk about that—that's history.
- That's past history now.
- They had an affair once, but that's past history now.
the history books
- the record of great achievements in history
- She has earned her place in the history books.
history repeats itself
- used to say that things often happen later in the same way as before
- Years later family history repeated itself with Eve’s daughters.
make history | go down in history
- to be or do something so important that it will be recorded in history
- a discovery that made medical history
Extra ExamplesTopics Historyc1- He will go down in history as a wise adviser and a kind man.
- Neil Armstrong made history by being the first man to walk on the moon.
the rest is history
- used when you are telling a story to say that you do not need to tell the end of it, because everyone knows it already
Check pronunciation:
history