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
Example Sentences
I'm reading an oral history of the Great Depression.
Recent Examples on the Web Originally, Houston was set to play Cinderella, according to a Shondaland oral history of the production from 2017, but stepped aside to help herald Brandy, then a budding star. 
Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Following the war, Freeman rarely discussed his battlefield experiences, even at Easy Company reunions, according to an oral history from the National WWII Museum. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022 Jo Sales writing on the redistribution of generational wealth to an oral history of how 9/11 forever changed the fashion industry. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Apr. 2022 Emhoff was expected to meet with students completing an oral history project that connects their family histories to Black history. Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2022 The book flows like an oral history and has the intimate feel of an old group of friends sharing stories at the end of a party, long after most guests have left. Julius Constantine Motal, NBC News, 25 July 2022 Goldston suggested using snippets of deposition videos to recreate particular moments, almost like an oral history. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 23 June 2022 The story is based on an oral history of the Chemehuevi tribe. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 June 2022 With the help of other instructional materials, experts say that using original photographs, documents and even oral history recordings can provide students a clearer window into the past – especially when discussing race. al, 14 July 2022 See More
Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 Following the war, Freeman rarely discussed his battlefield experiences, even at Easy Company reunions, according to an oral history from the National WWII Museum. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2022 Jo Sales writing on the redistribution of generational wealth to an oral history of how 9/11 forever changed the fashion industry. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Apr. 2022 Emhoff was expected to meet with students completing an oral history project that connects their family histories to Black history. Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2022 The book flows like an oral history and has the intimate feel of an old group of friends sharing stories at the end of a party, long after most guests have left. Julius Constantine Motal, NBC News, 25 July 2022 Goldston suggested using snippets of deposition videos to recreate particular moments, almost like an oral history. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 23 June 2022 The story is based on an oral history of the Chemehuevi tribe. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 21 June 2022 With the help of other instructional materials, experts say that using original photographs, documents and even oral history recordings can provide students a clearer window into the past – especially when discussing race. al, 14 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1