The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Recitation \Rec`i*ta"tion\ (r[e^]s`[i^]*t[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L.
   recitatio: cf. F. r['e]citation. See Recite.]
   1. The act of reciting; rehearsal; repetition of words or
      sentences. --Hammond.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The delivery before an audience of something committed to
      memory, especially as an elocutionary exhibition; also,
      that which is so delivered.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Colleges and Schools) The rehearsal of a lesson by pupils
      before their instructor.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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: recitation,
       recital, reading]
    3: a regularly scheduled session as part of a course of study
       [syn: course session, class period, recitation]
    4: systematic training by multiple repetitions; "practice makes
       perfect" [syn: exercise, practice, drill, practice
       session, recitation]