recitation

noun

rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌre-sə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of enumerating

a recitation of relevant details

2

: the act or an instance of reading or repeating aloud especially publicly

3

a

: a student's oral reply to questions

b

: a class period especially in association with and for review of a lecture

Examples of recitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There, the Christian king—known as the Negus—listened to their testimony and heard a recitation from Chapter 19 of the Qur'an, titled Mary. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Her conversation can devolve into a kind of radio-static recitation of terrible things that happened in Poland in the previous century. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

The lawsuit is devoid of specific allegations against anyone, much less Abel, relying exclusively on generalized recitations of boilerplate legal jargon. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

Maariv is completed with recitation of the Hallel prayer, as befitting any joyous holiday. —Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for recitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

recitation

noun

rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌres-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a complete telling or listing of something

2

: the act or an instance of reading or repeating aloud especially before an audience

3

: a student's oral reply to questions