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.

According to oral history passed down over the generations, Santseo was planted in the 13th Century by Komfo Nana Asumbia, a royal figure to whom we trace our lineage.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

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

From BBC • May 2, 2026

He described the period of new cable construction in America in the late 1970s and early 1980s in “Tinderbox,” an HBO oral history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Inside one of the oldest barbershops in Boyle Heights, Rodney Trammell gave an oral history of Brooklyn Avenue before it was renamed after civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

“It started with my oral history project,” I explain.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh