recital

noun

re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsī-tᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
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 noun

Examples of recital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Brandon Goldberg Trio, featuring jazz bassist Vincent Dupont and drummer Aaron Kimmel, will be presented by the annual Miami International Piano Festival, which this season has hosted more than 20 live recitals by pianists from around the world. Steve Rothaus, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025 Solo Kissin: Evgeny Kissin returns to perform a solo recital in Davies Symphony Hall as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Great Performers Series. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2025 It’s been a while since he’s been back to L.A., but the Los Angeles Philharmonic presents his first recital in more than a decade for a program of Bach, Chopin and Shostakovich. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025 Voigt accompanied various community choirs and would perform in solo and collaborative recitals, and was the organist at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in Oak Park for a half-century. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recital

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recital was in 1536

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Cite this Entry

“Recital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recital. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

recital

noun
re·​cit·​al ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
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 noun

Legal Definition

recital

noun
re·​ci·​tal ri-ˈsīt-ᵊl How to pronounce recital (audio)
: 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.

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