recital

noun

re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsī-tᵊl 

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

ri-ˈsī-tᵊl-ist 

noun

Examples of recital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dance recital: The Prodigy Beach Club dance company will present its 13th annual Summer Showcase at 10 a.m. and at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2025

In January 2023, Fine shared photos from Frankie and Sunny’s ballet recital, where the two can be seen wearing yellow tutus and dancing on stage. —Ariana Quihuiz, People.com, 14 May 2025

These mother figures are present for dance recitals, cheering at weekend soccer games, helping with after-school pick-ups, and celebrating all the special moments along the way. —Ronny Maye, Essence, 10 May 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for recital

• entitle
• subtitle
• title
• vital

Kids Definition

recital

noun

re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl 

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

-ᵊl-əst 

noun

Legal Definition

recital

noun

re·​ci·​tal ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl 

: 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.