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.
An oral history project documenting the heritage and culture of Fort Worth’s Northside, a predominantly Hispanic community that includes the Fort Worth Stockyards, is now in jeopardy after the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly referred to as DOGE, cut its funding. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025 With few photographs, no clear family records, and little oral history preserved, DNA testing offers, albeit partial, answers to an individual's story. Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The oral histories will soon be available at the future Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, set to open at the Great Park in Irvine as early as spring 2027. Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025 Presented as an oral history, the volume was written by McCartney and edited by Ted Widmer. Spin Staff, SPIN, 26 Feb. 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 2 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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