historicize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “historicize” mean?
To treat or interpret something from a historical perspective.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To treat or interpret something from a historical perspective; to make or become historical.
To portray or represent events, ideas, or phenomena as part of a historical process or narrative, often emphasizing change and context over time. In critical theory, it can mean to challenge ahistorical, universal claims by showing their historical contingency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The -ise/-ize spelling variation applies (historicise/historicize), but '-ize' is also standard in many British academic publications.
Connotations
Equally academic and specialised in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general use, confined almost entirely to academic humanities and social sciences in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “historicize” in a Sentence
historicize [OBJECT]historicize [OBJECT] as [COMPLEMENT]be historicizedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “historicize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Scholars often historicise literary movements to better understand their origins.
- The film attempts to historicise the folk traditions of the region.
American English
- The project's goal is to historicize these social norms, showing they are not immutable.
- Feminist theory has worked to historicize the concept of gender.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable. The adverb is 'historically'.]
American English
- [Not applicable. The adverb is 'historically'.]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable. The adjective is 'historic' or 'historical'.]
American English
- [Not applicable. The adjective is 'historic' or 'historical'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in corporate histories or strategy documents discussing long-term trends.
Academic
Common in history, literary theory, cultural studies, sociology. E.g., 'The chapter aims to historicize the concept of childhood.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a specific methodological term in historiography and critical theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “historicize”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “historicize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “historicize”
- Confusing 'historicize' with 'historic' (adjective).
- Using it in informal contexts where 'put into historical context' would be clearer.
- Misspelling as 'historize'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a spelling variant. '-ize' is standard in American English and common in British academic and publishing contexts. '-ise' is also used in British English.
No. It is a specialised academic term used primarily in the humanities and social sciences. It is very rare in everyday conversation or general writing.
In some critical discourse, to 'historicize' something can imply debunking its claim to be universal or natural, which can be seen as a positive critical move. However, it is generally a neutral methodological term.
The process is 'historicization' (or 'historicisation'). A related noun describing the result could be 'historicism' in some philosophical contexts.
To treat or interpret something from a historical perspective.
Historicize is usually formal, academic in register.
Historicize: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈstɒrɪsaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪˈstɔːrɪsaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HISTORY' + '-ize' (to make into). To 'historicize' is to 'make into history' or 'view through the lens of history'.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SEEING IN CONTEXT; TIME IS A NARRATIVE.
Practice
Quiz
In academic writing, what is the primary function of 'to historicize'?