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

Director Lan Hongchun, himself from Chaoshan, spent years traveling through Thailand and Malaysia collecting oral histories from overseas Chinese communities before making the film. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 June 2026

The commemoration also includes oskáte, a traditional celebration of oral histories, victory songs and tribal dancing. — ABC News, 25 June 2026

Anselmi collects an oral history of opposition to data centers. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Some of the cast and crew of Labyrinth, released 40 years ago this June, spoke to The Guardian for an oral history of the 1986 film. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oral history

• ethnohistory
• consistory
• mystery