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

Maybe the final recognition of Bruce Heppler’s legendary career as Georgia Tech golf coach is his successor. —Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 25 May 2026

Academic ambitions Huawei is also seeking greater academic recognition for its semiconductor research. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 May 2026

Based on employee survey feedback, 166 earned recognition as Top Workplaces. —Bob Helbig, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2026

The squad also presents families with three spent rifle cartridges representing the three volleys fired in recognition of their veteran’s service. —Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 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