recognition

noun

rec·​og·​ni·​tion ˌre-kig-ˈni-shən 

-kəg-

1

: the action of recognizing : the state of being recognized: such as

a

: acknowledgment

especially : formal acknowledgment of the political existence of a government or nation

b

: knowledge or feeling that someone or something present has been encountered before

2

: special notice or attention

3

: the sensing and encoding of printed or written data by a machine

optical character recognition

magnetic ink character recognition

Examples of recognition in a Sentence

The procedure is gaining recognition as the latest advance in organ transplant surgery.

The Olympic Committee gave official recognition to the sport.

His smile was a recognition that things were not so bad.

Her paintings received recognition from her fellow artists.

All she wanted was some recognition for her work.

He finally received the recognition that he deserved.

They were awarded medals in recognition of their bravery.

Recent Examples on the Web

If future laws change to allow recognition of AI agents and/or their human creators as discoverers (with or without human collaborators), how might this affect accountability, ownership, and the ability to profit from discoveries? — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

The evening brought plenty of laughs, but also a recognition that the progress CAPE and the broader AAPI entertainment community have made remains vulnerable amid an industry facing contraction, layoffs, and shrinking opportunities. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Still, the usual ilk of Grammy front-runners, who match major commercial and critical relevance with a history of general field recognition, are absent from the hip-hop landscape this year. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Murakami welcomed the idea of Japantown getting more recognition. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recognicion, from Anglo-French recognition, from Latin recognition-, recognitio, from recognoscere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recognition

• beyond (all) recognition
• self-recognition

Rhymes for recognition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

recognition

noun

rec·​og·​ni·​tion ˌrek-ig-ˈnish-ən 

ˌrek-əg-

1

: the act of recognizing

2

: acknowledgment of something done or given

got a medal in recognition of bravery

3

: formal acknowledgment of the political existence of a government or nation

4

: special attention or notice

Medical Definition

recognition

noun

rec·​og·​ni·​tion ˌrek-əg-ˈnish-ən 

: the form of memory that consists in knowing or feeling that a present object has been met before

Legal Definition

recognition

noun

rec·​og·​ni·​tion ˌre-kəg-ˈni-shən 

1

: the act, process, or fact of recognizing

2

: the state of being recognized