oral history

American  

noun

1. information of historical or sociological importance obtained usually by tape-recorded interviews with persons whose experiences and memories are representative or whose lives have been of special significance.

2. a book, article, recording, or transcription of such information.

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oral history British  

noun

1. the memories of living people about events or social conditions which they experienced in their earlier lives taped and preserved as historical evidence

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Other Word Forms

• oral historian
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of oral history

First recorded in 1970–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oral history

“I felt like Robin Hood a little,” he said in the oral history.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

An oral history of Wawa, compiled by Adam Clark for NJ Advance Media, quotes him jokingly reflecting on those days in a 1995 speech.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

One version of the oral history speaks of a hunter from Gomoa Asin, a royal named Inhune Akubuha.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

With a gallery space split between a dance studio and a film editing room, the exhibition weaves elements of choreography, documentary, oral history and ritual.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

Between the project with my friends, the oral history assignment, and my regular work, I’m going to be extremely busy for the next few months.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

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