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

An oral history of how Gyopo, the arts and culture organization in L.A., came to be.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

His notes “took over our dining room at home,” much to his wife’s chagrin, Banatao said in the oral history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Vaginal Davis on her L.A. beginnings and having fun while making an impact Visiting the in-demand Wendy L’Belle Tividad for a psychic reading Unpacking the oral history of jerkin’ and its lasting impact beyond L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

“I just believe in service,” she said in an oral history interview with the Eastern Kentucky University Research Center for Special Collections & Archives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

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