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.
Youth musicians perform Young students of internationally renowned South Bay pianist Jon Nakamatsu will perform a recital on May 17 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 May 2025 Organ recital with Grammy nominee The La Jolla Music Society will present an organ recital at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect St. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 For a review of Julia Fischer (violin) and Jan Lisiecki (piano) in recital, go here. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025 Does Fabian lose it because none of his colleagues turned up to his recital? Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 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 23 May. 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.

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