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

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

Museum staff conducted extensive community outreach, including oral history interviews with Yuba-Sutter residents whose stories helped researchers build a historical archive. — Velvet Wu june 16, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

The festival will include oral histories, storytelling sessions, and panel discussions where surfers of all ages can connect and share treasured memories. — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026

The Last of the Soviets, is an oral history of the Soviet Union and its ultimate end, which became required reading for many of the cast. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oral history

• ethnohistory
• consistory
• mystery