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
There is, however, a pleasing recognition here that certain relationships and phases in life are finite.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 May 2026
Nowhere is there any recognition for winning a West Valley League title.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Since its founding, the Foundation has bestowed 434 awards on laureates from more than 40 countries, and the Canada Gairdner International Award has become a defining recognition in the global biomedical community, with 103 past laureates going on to receive the Nobel Prize.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
But in recognition of the many who can’t and who certainly can’t afford to purchase Cubs tickets, this is an injustice.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for recognition
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Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 May 2026
Nowhere is there any recognition for winning a West Valley League title.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Since its founding, the Foundation has bestowed 434 awards on laureates from more than 40 countries, and the Canada Gairdner International Award has become a defining recognition in the global biomedical community, with 103 past laureates going on to receive the Nobel Prize.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
But in recognition of the many who can’t and who certainly can’t afford to purchase Cubs tickets, this is an injustice.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 May 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 4 May. 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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