oral tradition
noun
: the stories, beliefs, etc., that a group of people share by telling stories and talking to each other
Examples of oral tradition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bianchi compared the maneuver to an oral tradition, passed down through generations.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Should ancient epics that originated in the oral tradition be considered gossip?
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
According to an Abenaki oral tradition, the sap of sugar maple trees used to flow as thick and sweet as honey year-round.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Reliance on oral tradition serves a number of purposes for Yazidis, Robins explained, including protecting their religion and community from hostile outsiders.
—Winthrop Rodgers, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oral tradition
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.
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
Should ancient epics that originated in the oral tradition be considered gossip?
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
According to an Abenaki oral tradition, the sap of sugar maple trees used to flow as thick and sweet as honey year-round.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Reliance on oral tradition serves a number of purposes for Yazidis, Robins explained, including protecting their religion and community from hostile outsiders.
—Winthrop Rodgers, The Dial, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oral tradition
Cite this Entry
“Oral tradition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral%20tradition. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share