Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Recitation \Rec`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. recitatio: cf. F.
   r['e]citation. See {Recite}.]
   1. The act of reciting; rehearsal; repetition of words or
      sentences. --Hammond.

   2. The delivery before an audience of something committed to
      memory, especially as an elocutionary exhibition; also,
      that which is so delivered.

   3. (Colleges and Schools) The rehearsal of a lesson by pupils
      before their instructor.

Source : WordNet®

recitation
     n 1: written matter that is recited from memory
     2: a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory)
        something prepared in advance; "the program included songs
        and recitations of well-loved poems" [syn: {recital}, {reading}]
     3: a regularly scheduled session as part of a course of study
        [syn: {course session}, {class period}]
     4: systematic training by multiple repetitions; "practice makes
        perfect" [syn: {exercise}, {practice}, {drill}, {practice
        session}]