adjective

• 1Famous or important in history, or potentially so.

  ‘the area's numerous historic sites’

  More example sentences

  • ‘a historic occasion’
  • ‘There are many pubs and churches and sites of great historic importance.’
  • ‘They had greatly enjoyed the trip and it was a historic and important occasion, he said.’
  • ‘For 2,532 years these historic sites have held importance in the mind of the Buddhists.’
  • ‘It was worth it, as it is one of the most beautiful and important historic Khmer sites in Thailand.’
  • ‘Many of Italy's most famous museums and historic sites will in future be run by private companies.’
  • ‘Not many places can boast being both a centre of historic importance and outstanding natural beauty.’
  • ‘Many demonstrators will don medieval dress to highlight the historic importance of the earmarked site.’
  • ‘Roman coins and blue glass beads have been found among the remains of buildings at the Groundwell Ridge historic site.’
  • ‘Tourism in Kerala thrives not thanks to any sites of religious or historic significance.’
  • ‘It is a truly historic occasion - a moment of passing in the corporate family.’
  • ‘Luxor in Egypt is renowned for its great historic sites but now a special school is making its own bit of history.’
  • ‘If Beijing can fulfil such targets, it should be a memorable and historic occasion.’
  • ‘Many of these important historic racing cars are driven by famous faces from motor sport past and present.’
  • ‘The local community is campaigning for a museum to commemorate the district as the historic birthplace of the famous car.’
  • ‘Mr Ahern said it was a challenging and important post at a historic point in the union's development.’
  • ‘It is important that the historic perspective to the issue be explored openly.’
  • ‘Instead, he argued that it was important to win a historic third term.’
  • ‘Those buildings have been there since the 18th century and have historic importance.’
  • ‘Two of Pembroke Dock's most important historic buildings are being given a major facelift.’

  Synonyms

  famous, famed, important, significant, notable, celebrated, renowned, momentous, headline, consequential, outstanding, extraordinary, memorable, unforgettable, remarkable, landmark, groundbreaking, epoch-making, red-letter, of importance, of significance, of consequence, earth-shaking, earth-shattering

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  1. 1.1archaic Of or concerning history; of the past.
     ‘eruptions in historic times’
     More example sentences

     • ‘The second issue that has caused concern is the definition of historic heritage.’
     • ‘I read with interest the recent article concerning the destruction of historic houses and homes.’
     Synonyms

     old style, former, past, bygone, historic, heritage, antique, antiquarian, early, classical, traditional, folk, old-world, ancestral, time-honoured, ancient, veteran, vintage, quaint

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• 2Grammar
  (of a tense) used in the narration of past events, especially Latin and Greek imperfect and pluperfect.