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.
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 Here is an oral history of Steven Spielberg, as told by his many friends, rivals, and one sibling — with a brief cameo from Spielberg himself. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026 The book is not quite a novel and not quite nonfiction, but rather an amalgamation of stories that come from both real history and Yamashita’s imagination, playing with fonts and typesetting and incorporating oral history and occasional verse. Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 8 June 2026 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 16 Jun. 2026.

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