'recital' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'recitāre', where 're-' meant 'again' and 'citāre' (from 'citare') meant 'to call or summon' (in the sense of setting into motion); 'recitāre' meant 'to read aloud' or 'to recite'.

'recitāre' passed into Old French as forms related to 'réciter' and later French 'récital'; English borrowed 'recital' (modern form) from French usage, and the sense broadened to include musical performances and formal statements.

Initially it meant 'the act of reciting or reading aloud'; over time it evolved to include the modern senses of 'a musical performance (often by a soloist)' and 'an introductory or detailed statement in documents.'