oral history

noun

1

: a recording containing information about the past obtained from in-depth interviews concerning personal experiences, recollections, and reflections

also : the study of such information

2

: a written work based on oral history

oral historian noun

Examples of oral history in a Sentence

I'm reading an oral history of the Great Depression.

Recent Examples on the Web

For thousands of years, these lands have also been home to indigenous art, whether in basket weaving, oral history, songwriting, or beading. —Outside, 18 Jan. 2026

In 1965, the princess participated in an oral history project for the JFK Library to preserve the late politician's memory. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026

Writer and historian Erik Matsunago will talk about the history of post-World War II resettlement via first-person accounts of people who were part of the JASC oral history project. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

This exhibit explores the dynamic history of the Latino/Latinx (mostly Mexican American/Chicano) community in Berkeley from 1900 to 2025, highlighting resilience, activism and cultural contributions through photographs, oral histories, archival documents and community artifacts. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oral history

• ethnohistory
• consistory
• mystery