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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kelcee Smith There’s something almost magical about wandering through the collections of a natural history museum. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 These unusual encounters are more than fascinating natural history. — Cyril Grueter, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026 Caillois employs this term throughout his 1960 book Méduse et cie (The Mask of Medusa), which traces this hypnotic phenomenon through human as well as natural history. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 Fan-favorite attractions at the natural history museum include Rusty the Giant Sloth, a life-sized replica of a giant ground sloth skeleton. — Samantha Lande, Midwest Living, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for natural history

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

Rhymes for natural history

See All Rhymes for natural history

Browse Nearby Words

natural historian
natural history
natural horn
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Cite this Entry

“Natural history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20history. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on natural history

Nglish: Translation of natural history for Spanish Speakers

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