recitation

noun

rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌre-sə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce recitation (audio)
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 Randy, with his infectious grin, twinkling eyes, warm handshake, and rote recitation of Japanese garden symbology, was not condemned for a string of killings but rather for leading a death squad one summer night in 1987. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 12 Mar. 2024 Much of Bailey’s petition consists of a recitation of years-old health and safety violations at a PPGP clinic in Columbia. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 As part of the agreement, eBay admitted to a prosecutor's recitation of facts about the company's conduct and agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty, which is the maximum fine for the six offenses. USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2024 In 2016, there were under 700 applications which used the words artificial intelligence among their recitations of goods and services. Jess Collen, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Another piece was accompanied by a recitation of his family recipe for pancakes. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024 Universal Pictures Nolan brings an impressive degree of historical accuracy to the film without resorting to a slavish recitation of facts, seeding it with oodles of throwaway details and characters as ornamental flourishes. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2023 Nolan brings an impressive degree of historical accuracy to the film without resorting to a slavish recitation of facts, seeding it with oodles of throwaway details and characters as ornamental flourishes. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023 On June 14 — Flag Day, of all days — Fuhrman declared that its recitation would be suspended until further discussion could resolve his concerns. Jonathan Weisman Benjamin Rasmussen, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recitation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near recitation

Cite this Entry

“Recitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recitation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

recitation

noun
rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌres-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce recitation (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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