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

The specimen was eventually sold to billionaire hedge fund manager Kenneth C. Griffin, who has since loaned the fossil to the natural history museum. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

The investment in Studios was clear with its acquisition of natural history producer Plimsoll Productions for £103.5 million in 2022. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024

Also that night, NBC will also launch its long-in-the-making natural history series The Americas, narrated by Tom Hanks. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024

Memorabilia from the school’s original natural history archives and science laboratories (the university opened its doors in 1774) are on display, including an early seismograph and a collection of geological treasures. —Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 tumors

—H. S. N. Greene