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

Etymology

Origin of oral history

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oral history

You lend to the clearinghouses whatever you need, and we’re going to back you’,” he told an oral history project at the University of California, Berkeley.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

“I had to steer the plane exactly as I wanted the picture taken,” Dallin said in a 1969 oral history about his work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 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

Back in the United States, Liyana’s classes had oral history assignments where they were supposed to go home and ask their oldest relatives or neighbors what the world was like long ago.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye