recite

1 of 2

verb

re·​cite ri-ˈsīt How to pronounce recite (audio)
recited; reciting
Synonyms of recitenext

transitive verb

1
: to repeat from memory or read aloud publicly
2
a
: to relate in full
recites dull anecdotes
b
: to give a recital of : detail
recited a catalog of offenses
3
: to repeat or answer questions about (a lesson)

intransitive verb

1
: to repeat or read aloud something memorized or prepared
2
: to reply to a teacher's question on a lesson
reciter noun

reciter

2 of 2

noun

re·​cit·​er
ri-ˈsī-tər
: one that recites

Synonyms of recite

Relevance

Verb

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Examples of recite in a Sentence

Verb He recited the poem with great feeling. He began to recite from the Koran. He can easily recite all the facts about any player on the team.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Gerald speaks in a forceful cadence, like a start-up founder reciting a LinkedIn post. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026 He and Feddon recited prayers, which the priest had found for him, that pilgrims have spoken for generations along the Camino. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Those attending should come to attention, salute, recite the Pledge of Allegiance or pause for a moment of silent reflection. — Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026 Then the crowd, with hands raised, recited an Oath of Allegiance, not so different from the oath Washington signed in 1778. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for recite

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to relate, state, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reciter, from Latin recitare to recite, from re- + citare to summon — more at cite

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recite was in the 15th century

Rhymes for recite

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Browse Nearby Words

recitativo
recite
reciter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recite

verb
re·​cite ri-ˈsīt How to pronounce recite (audio)
recited; reciting
1
: to repeat from memory or read aloud before an audience
recite a poem
2
: to tell all the details of
3
: to answer questions about a lesson
reciter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on recite

Nglish: Translation of recite for Spanish Speakers

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