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

So get ready for this stock response to be followed by a lengthy recitation of names, including several of whom have no chance short of a meteor strike of making the team. —Tim Britton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Michael Almereyda & Courtney Stephens; 2025; USA; 89 min An archival recitation of John C. Lilly’s controversial scientific legacy tells a tale of animal experimentation, counterculture, and human consciousness. —Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025

The moment reminded me of how Dr. King was passed down to me – through recitations and parades. —Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jan. 2025

There were misplaced reading glasses, which made the Torah recitation — a pressure point in any bar mitzvah — a little bit more fraught. —John Leland, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for recitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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