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 the recent Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival oral history, Andrews talked about Tool getting the band on the tour and being nervous that so many other bands would come over to watch their sets. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 June 2025 An oral history of the rise and fall of one of the greatest rock bands. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2025 Here’s the oral history of Ducks-Blackhawks, 10 years later. Scott Powers, New York Times, 29 May 2025 Years later, executive producer and writer Liz Sarnoff explained it in Vulture’s oral history of the Lost finale. Julie Tremaine, People.com, 23 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Oral history.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral%20history. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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