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

Ehren posted bond, and Moser was released on his own recognizance. —Tara Lynch, CBS News, 18 May 2026

Alex Murdaugh was ordered held on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. —Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 2026

She was released on her own recognizance and is awaiting trial. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

The race car driver was arraigned later Wednesday morning and ultimately released on his own recognizance. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026

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