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
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.
In 2021, as part of a larger oral history of the film, Emmerich, star Bill Pullman and writer-producer Dean Devlin recalled watching the White House explode …. Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 There will also be interactive storytelling and oral history components where attendees will have the opportunity to record their own stories and contribute them to the Black Archives digital collection. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025 Such is the difficulty of oral history to breech the gulf of a Western religious narrative. Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025 Brooks has been the longtime president of the Del Mar Historical Society (DMHS), preserving Del Mar’s legacy and promoting important community defining initiatives such as the Alvarado House and the Del Mar Voices oral history project. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oral history

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of oral history was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oral history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral%20history. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!