recital

noun

re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsī-tᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
1
a
: a detailed account : enumeration
a recital of names and dates
b
: the act or process or an instance of reciting
c
: discourse, narration
a colorful recital of a night on the town
2
a
: a concert given by an individual musician or dancer or by a dance troupe
b
: a public exhibition of skill given by music or dance pupils
recitalist noun

Examples of recital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her choice for the cathedral recital: three of the five movements from French composer Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphony No. 5. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025 Two people were shot inside a historic Alabama theater during a children's dance recital, and one person has turned himself in, according to local police. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 2 June 2025 Organ recital at Mount Dora church Pipe organist Annika Hedrick will perform an organ recital featuring works by Bach, Bruhns, Hailstork and other composers at 4 p.m. June 1 at First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora, 439 E. Fifth Ave. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025 May 24, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; May 25, 10 a.m., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Semifinals: 12 competitors perform a 60-minute recital and a Mozart concerto with Carlos Miguel Prieto and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for recital

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recital was in 1536

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Cite this Entry

“Recital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recital. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

recital

noun
re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
1
: a reciting of something
especially : a story told in detail
2
: a program of music usually given by a single performer
a piano recital
3
: a public performance by music or dance pupils
recitalist noun

Legal Definition

recital

noun
re·​ci·​tal ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
: a formal statement or setting forth of some relevant matter of fact in a deed or other document

Note: A recital is often preceded by whereas.

More from Merriam-Webster on recital

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