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

The Japanese violinist and her longtime recital partner, Özgür Aydin, perform selections from Brahms, Poulenc and Ravel. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025

As his profile rose, Pappano would occasionally tour with singers, playing the piano during the recitals of Ian Bostridge, Waltraud Meier and others. —Joshua Barone, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025

Near the end of the festival but wholly unrelated to it, Jeffrey and Gabriel Kahane come to campus for a father-son recital, featuring a good helping of the younger Kahane’s music. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025

Through much of his life, the violinist has tended to have non-musical friends — despite his demanding regimen of rehearsals, practicing and recitals. —Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 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.