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
Her lead performance as Willa, the daughter of underground revolutionaries, has earned Infiniti nominations among multiple voting bodies including her first recognition at the Golden Globes.
—
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The band was also unique in allowing fans to tape the concerts, with vigorous trading of tapes helping to spread recognition of their music outside of radio play.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
The what-if around Bregman was a recognition of the solid foundation patiently built by the Cubs over a multiyear process, as well as an early sense of the pulsating energy that would return to Wrigley Field last October.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The service has already received formal recognition.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognition
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Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
The band was also unique in allowing fans to tape the concerts, with vigorous trading of tapes helping to spread recognition of their music outside of radio play.
—Adam Levine, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
The what-if around Bregman was a recognition of the solid foundation patiently built by the Cubs over a multiyear process, as well as an early sense of the pulsating energy that would return to Wrigley Field last October.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The service has already received formal recognition.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognition
Cite this Entry
“Recognition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognition. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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