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

For families or anyone with a curiosity streak, the Burke Museum covers natural history and culture, from native art to dino fossils. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

The Burke Museum covers natural history and culture, everything from native art to dino fossils. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

Museums That Actually Hold Kids’ Attention Start with the Burke Museum, which houses natural history and culture exhibits ranging from native art to dinosaur fossils. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026

This story of star-formation is ubiquitous throughout our natural history, with sextillions of stars populating our observable Universe today, with nuclear fusion providing the sustaining energy for most modern stars. —Big Think, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for natural history

• consistory
• ethnohistory
• mystery

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