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

Examples of recognizance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Court records show Haggard was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

The arrest came 13 days after she was released on her own recognizance following an October cocaine-possession arrest two blocks away from the restaurant. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

But at his arraignment Wednesday in Dublin, he was released on his own recognizance, over the objections of the prosecutor, by Judge Kevin Wong. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025

The arrest returned Rodriguez to Miami-Dade Corrections custody 13 days after she was released on her own recognizance following an October arrest for cocaine possession. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

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

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