oral history

NOUN

spoken historical recollection

Synonyms

WEAK

firsthand account folk literature narrative history oral record survivors' account witnesses' account

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The oral history includes McCartney’s defense of that track: “The truth is, it was catchy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 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

Vaginal Davis on her L.A. beginnings and having fun while making an impact On making music for ‘the freaks’ with the Egyptian Lover Unpacking the oral history of jerkin’ and its lasting impact beyond L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

“I just turned to the person next to me,” she said in an oral history interview, “and I said: When I sing again, it’s going to be with that band.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

As she prepares dinner, I try to finalize the edits to my oral history project, but Mom finishes cooking before I’m done.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh