Meaning of history In English

• 0 (the study of or a record of) past events considered together, especially events of a particular period, country, or subject:

  • I studied modern European history at college.

  • American history

  • Annie's decided to write a history of electronic music.

  • I only asked him for a cigarette, but two hours later he'd told me his whole life history.

  • Last year's report is ancient history and totally irrelevant to the current situation.

  • "What about Dan - are you still seeing him?" "Oh, he's history."

• 1 something that has been done or experienced by a particular person or thing repeatedly over a long period:

  • Her family has a history of heart problems.

  • There's a long history of industrial disputes at the factory.

  • He has a good credit history (= a good record of paying money that he owes).

• 2 (the study of) past events considered together, esp. events or developments of a particular period, country, or subject:

  • [ U ] I’m taking a course in American history.

  • [ C ] I’m reading a history of jazz (= a book that describes the development of this music).

• 3 something that has been done or experienced by a particular person or thing many times over a long period:

  • Our family has a history of diabetes.

• 4 a record of past events relating to a particular person or company:

  • This is the 50th consecutive month of uninterrupted job growth, the longest in the nation's history.

  • No one else in the Bank's long history has climbed all the way up the ladder.

  • When a person applies for a bank account or credit card, their credit history can be tracked.

  • career/employment/medical history

• 5 a record of actions or events that have happened often over a period of time:

  • a history of sth The company has had a history of difficult management-union relations.