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

Unfortunately, she was forced to perform her recital while also rolling the piano up the driveway. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Following a meteoric rise through the world’s concert halls and opera houses — and a headline-making solo recital last season in New York — the Norwegian soprano is now one of the most esteemed vocal artists navigating an astounding career. —Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

There were no parties this year for the children, no music recitals and no Christmas tree in the city square. —Euan Ward, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024

Chyna shared a snippet of the song on Instagram along with several photos of her daughter dressed in a pink tutu at her first dance recital. —Katie Mannion, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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.