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

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

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.