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

This halting, haunted recitation, almost like the conjugation of an unfamiliar verb, speaks to Li’s state more precisely than anything else in the book. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

This night is believed to be when the Qur'an was first revealed, and mosques remain open all night for prayer, recitation, and reflection. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

There, the Christian king—known as the Negus—listened to their testimony and heard a recitation from Chapter 19 of the Qur'an, titled Mary. —Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Her conversation can devolve into a kind of radio-static recitation of terrible things that happened in Poland in the previous century. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

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