acknowledgment

noun

ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment ik-ˈnä-lij-mənt 

ak-, 

ig-

variants or acknowledgement

1

a

: the act of acknowledging something or someone

acknowledgment of a mistake

b

: recognition or favorable notice of an act or achievement

received acknowledgment for his charitable works

2

: a thing done or given in recognition of something received

an author's acknowledgments of assistance

3

law : a declaration or avowal of one's act or of a fact to give it legal validity

Synonyms of acknowledgment

• commendation
• award
• medal
• mention

Examples of acknowledgment in a Sentence

They made several public acknowledgments of their company's mistake.

He paid the fine without acknowledgment of his guilt.

Special acknowledgments will be made at the end of the meeting.

He has finally received the acknowledgment he deserves for his charitable work.

They presented him with an award in acknowledgment of his charitable work.

He's the first person mentioned in the book's acknowledgments.

We sent an acknowledgment that we received their letter.

He never received an acknowledgment of his payment.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of his more prominent stances was an acknowledgment of the financial industry's need to adapt and accept additional regulatory oversight following the 2008 financial crisis, for example. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

As the church falls apart, its demolition imminent, the work acts as an acknowledgment of the life that exists within materials, of how intention and attention can come together to bring out the sense of meaning inherent to a place. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

For over a month, the cameras remained up, and the city had received no acknowledgment from the company. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 1 Nov. 2026

The Devil’s portrait is included as an acknowledgment of demonic assistance. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

acknowledge + -ment

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing acknowledgment

• land acknowledgment

Rhymes for acknowledgment

• acknowledgement

Kids Definition

acknowledgment

noun

ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment

variants also acknowledgement

ik-ˈnäl-ij-mənt 

ak-

1

a

: the act of acknowledging

b

: an act of acknowledging some deed or achievement

2

: something done or given in return for something received

Legal Definition

acknowledgment

noun

ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment

variants also acknowledgement

1

a

: the act of acknowledging

b

: the act of admitting paternity compare filiation

2

: a thing done or given in recognition of something received

an acknowledgment came in the mail

3

a

: a declaration or avowal of one's act or a fact to give it legal validity

specifically : a declaration before a duly qualified public officer (as a notary public) by a person who has executed an instrument that the execution was the person's free act and deed

b

: the formal certificate made by an officer before whom one has acknowledged a deed including as an essential part the signature and often the seal of the officer