recognizance

noun

re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s 

-ˈkä-nə-

1

a

: an obligation of record entered into before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (such as appearance in court) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture

released on his own recognizance

b

: the sum liable to forfeiture upon such an obligation

2

archaic : token, pledge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

He was suspended with pay and released on his own recognizance, according to the statement. —Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 6 May 2023

Taken to the state police barracks for processing, she was subsequently arraigned by a county magistrate on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. —Leah Willingham, ajc, 30 Mar. 2023

Hawk was released on personal recognizance and is scheduled to appear in Newport District Court on April 11, State Police said. —Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Mar. 2023

Like Bankman-Friend, Singh also became a major political donor, contributing upwards of $8 million to Democratic politicians in the 2022 election cycle $250,000: Personal recognizance bond Singh has been released on 75 years: The maximum sentence his charges allow. —Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2023

Schwertner was released on a personal recognizance bond Tuesday just four blocks from where his absence was felt at the Capitol. —Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023

Records showed Schwertner was in Travis County sheriff’s custody most of Tuesday morning, but had received a personal recognizance bond and was released from jail shortly after noon. —James Barragán, Chron, 7 Feb. 2023

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday that Merritt was given a personal recognizance bond. —Haeven Gibbons, Dallas News, 28 Mar. 2023

Warner was processed and released on personal recognizance bail. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English recognissance, alteration of reconissaunce, from Anglo-French, from reconoistre to recognize

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recognizance

• on someone's own recognizance

• on someone's own recognizance

Kids Definition

recognizance

noun

re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s 

-ˈkän-ə-

: a recorded legal promise to do something (as to appear in court)

Legal Definition

recognizance

noun

re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zəns 

1

: an obligation entered into on the record before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as the paying of a debt) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture

also : the sum liable to forfeiture

2

: a simple personal obligation or undertaking (as to appear in court) entered into before a magistrate and having no money penalty attached

released on his own recognizance

Etymology

Anglo-French recognisance reconisance, literally, recognition, from Old French reconoisance, from reconoistre to recognize, from Latin recognoscere