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.
As wildfires become ever more common, the themes that came up in the oral histories are increasingly relevant to community members, policymakers and scholars alike. Kathryn E. Goldfarb, The Conversation, 28 July 2025 The display will feature artifacts, photographs, oral histories and materials salvaged from the current facility. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025 Our American Story: an oral history project asking Americans to nominate a living person whose story will be recorded by the Library of Congress. Chloe Veltman, NPR, 2 July 2025 Plot details for the sequel are still under wraps, though Frankel and McKenna told EW in a 2021 oral history celebrating the original film's 15th birthday that a potential continuation wouldn't be easy to make. EW.com, 21 July 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 7 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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