recitation

[ res-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act of reciting.
2. a reciting or repeating of something from memory, especially formally or publicly.
3. oral response by a pupil or pupils to a teacher on a prepared lesson.
4. a period of classroom instruction.
5. an elocutionary delivery of a piece of poetry or prose, without the text, before an audience.
6. a piece so delivered or for such delivery.

recitation

/ ˌrɛsɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of reciting from memory, or a formal reading of verse before an audience
2. something recited

Other Words From

• nonrec·i·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of recitation¹

1475–85; < Latin recitātiōn- (stem of recitātiō ), equivalent to recitāt ( us ) (past participle of recitāre to recite ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

This recitation of names creates a powerful ritual.

From Los Angeles Times

She only read the poem, and her recitation was interrupted at times by applause.

From Los Angeles Times

Competitions in the main pavilion vary from dance to recitation, singing to brass bands.

From BBC

But he made up for it with a smarmy opening to his acceptance speech in which he gave a mournful minute-by-minute recitation of the assassination attempt.

From Salon

Her catchphrase has a specific cadence — one that easily evokes a laugh after every recitation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• monologue
• narration
• oration
• recital
• recounting
• rendering