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

With the exception of gambling disorder, behavioral addictions have received slim recognition in psychiatry’s diagnostic manuals—although doctors and researchers often still treat them as legitimate and potentially devastating disorders. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Of course, his recognition of the visceral power of live music and directly connecting with an audience makes his indifference to AI all the more baffling. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026

Americans may disagree on solutions, but many share the belief that financial incentives have distorted the system beyond recognition. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

However, the recognition task was evaluated using a network model representing approximately 120,000 synapses, rather than running entirely on the physical 100-device array. — New Atlas, 18 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