natural history

noun

1
: a treatise on some aspect of nature
2
: the natural development of something (such as an organism or disease) over a period of time
3
: the study of natural objects especially in the field from an amateur or popular point of view

Examples of natural history in a Sentence

the natural history of bees We went to the Natural History Museum.
Recent Examples on the Web My mother, for instance, has always loved natural history. Kat McGowan, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024 In the grasslands of Southern Ukraine, between Crimea and mainland Ukraine, a natural history researcher named Yura (Dmytro Bahnenko) is hoping to track down and photograph a groundhog. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024 Queens premiere National Geographic premiered its upcoming natural history series, narrated by Angela Bassett, at the Academy Museum on Thursday. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2024 Because models are not actual natural history specimens, the cast would be of little scientific value for studying the morphology and life histories of blue whales. Rachel Nuwer, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024 In the trailer, viewers will be introduced to six iconic worlds ruled by the fierce and formidable matriarchs of the animal world, setting the stage for a series that transcends everything that people currently know about natural history programming. Okla Jones, Essence, 8 Feb. 2024 The specimens are intended to highlight the value of natural history and collections, especially as our environment shifts. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2024 By digging beyond the bears’ reputation, the researchers gleaned a more accurate understanding of the California grizzly’s biology and natural history. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2024 Kelvingrove is a Victorian pile focused on art, technology, and natural history, so Quant’s designs and clothes were delightful disruptions. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'natural history.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural history was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near natural history

Cite this Entry

“Natural history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20history. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

natural history

noun
: the study of natural objects and especially plants and animals as they live in nature from an amateur or popular point of view

Medical Definition

natural history

noun
: the natural development of something (as an organism or disease) over a period of time
increasing knowledge of the natural histories of tumorsH. S. N. Greene

More from Merriam-Webster on natural history

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