recitation

noun

rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌre-sə-ˈtā-shən 

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

At its July meeting, the board rejected 31 of the 33 purchase offers without explanation beyond a rote recitation that they were deemed insufficient, the commissioners felt the buyer didn’t have the resources to carry through with their plan, or both. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2024

Her catchphrase has a specific cadence — one that easily evokes a laugh after every recitation. —Phillipe Thao, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

What those deliberate choices do is push Under the Bridge from a by-the-numbers recitation of a crime to an exploration of the many contradictory aspects of the feeling of belonging. —Jen Chaney, Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 June 2024

Foods of symbolic significance are consumed, while prayers and traditional recitations are performed. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

recitation

noun

rec·​i·​ta·​tion ˌres-ə-ˈtā-shən 

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