recognizance

noun

re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
-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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recognizance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of recognizance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near recognizance

Cite this Entry

“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognizance. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

recognizance

noun
re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
-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 How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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