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

Defense attorney Tracy Song Zhang of Legal Aid reminded Judge Khan that the charges weren’t bail eligible and asked that her client be released on his own recognizance. —Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

Johnson County District Judge Wayne Smith set a $2,500, personal recognizance bond with conditions of no alcohol, drugs or firearms, and no contact with the victim of the alleged crime. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

On April 15, the Sheriff's Office said Vargas was released on his own recognizance with pre-trial probation, and ordered to stay away from Home Depot and Lowe's store in Sacramento County. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

But a county judge released Guzman on her own recognizance, a week later amending the conditions of her release to include a 24/7 GPS monitor. —Selina Guevara, NBC news, 19 Apr. 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