noun
C2
Proficient
recitation
reh-sih-TAY-shuhn
Recitation (noun) means the act of saying a memorized piece of writing aloud in front of others. Example: “Every student had to give a recitation of a poem they had learned by heart.”
noun
1
The act of saying a memorized piece of writing aloud in front of others.
"Every student had to give a recitation of a poem they had learned by heart."
2
A class session, in some school systems, in which students discuss material from an earlier lecture.
"She has math recitation every Friday morning to go over homework problems."
How to use recitation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying something memorized out loud, or (in some schools) a small discussion class tied to a lecture.
UK vs US
The class-session sense is common in US universities; UK universities more often call this a "seminar" or "tutorial."
Common pairings
dramatic recitation
recitation class
memorize for recitation
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Word forms
- Plural
- recitations
Fill the gap
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Every student had to give a _____ of a poem they had learned by heart.
Etymology
From Latin recitatio, built the same way as "recite" plus -ation, meaning "the act of reciting."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for recitation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for recitation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “recitation” mean?
The word “recitation” means the act of saying a memorized piece of writing aloud in front of others. In plain terms, saying something memorized out loud, or (in some schools) a small discussion class tied to a lecture.
How do you pronounce “recitation”?
“Recitation” is pronounced reh-sih-TAY-shuhn (/ˌɹɛsəˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “recitation” in a sentence?
Here is “recitation” used in a sentence: “Every student had to give a recitation of a poem they had learned by heart.”
What part of speech is “recitation”?
“Recitation” is a noun.
Where does the word “recitation” come from?
The word “recitation” comes from Latin. From Latin recitatio, built the same way as "recite" plus -ation, meaning "the act of reciting.".
How many meanings does “recitation” have?
“Recitation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of saying a memorized piece of writing aloud in front of others.
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