recognize

verb

rec·​og·​nize ˈre-kig-ˌnīz How to pronounce recognize (audio)
-kəg-
recognized; recognizing

transitive verb

1
: to acknowledge formally: such as
a
: to admit as being lord or sovereign
b
: to admit as being of a particular status
c
: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to
d
: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of
2
: to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such as
a
: to acknowledge with a show of appreciation
recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medal
b
: to acknowledge acquaintance with
recognize a neighbor with a nod
3
a
: to perceive to be something or someone previously known
recognized the word
b
: to perceive clearly : realize
recognizability noun
recognizable adjective
recognizably adverb
recognizer noun

Examples of recognize in a Sentence

I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut. I can always recognize him from far away by the way he walks. They recognized the odor at once. The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country. They refused to recognize the treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web He was recognized with the 2022 BET Lifetime Achievement Award and with the Global Icon Award at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Saba Hamedy, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2023 She has been recognized as the only woman from India’s TV industry in the Variety500 power list, and has been behind more than 17,000 hours of TV, 45 films and one of India’s first over-the-top platforms, Alt Balaji. Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 But this year, he was recognized for his patriotism, and his body was moved from the family plot to the national cemetery, with full honors. Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 Aztecs fans might recognize the name Koren Johnson. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023 Sandiford-Artest was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1999 and was later recognized as one of the greatest on-ball defenders in the league, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023 Throughout the categories, superstars such as Bad Bunny, Christina Aguilera, Maluma, Peso Pluma and Rosalía were also recognized. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 Viewing itself as a defender against imperialism and colonialism, China was one of the first countries to support the Palestine Liberation Organization and in 1988 became one of the first to recognize Palestine as a state. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 The respite led him to recognize his own suffering and accept that he had been stretched to a breaking point, Kiakona said. Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recognize.' 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

modification of Anglo-French reconois-, stem of reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, from re- + cognoscere to know — more at cognition

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recognize was in 1537

Dictionary Entries Near recognize

Cite this Entry

“Recognize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

recognize

verb
rec·​og·​nize ˈrek-ig-ˌnīz How to pronounce recognize (audio)
ˈrek-əg-
recognized; recognizing
1
: to be willing to admit : acknowledge
recognized my own faults
2
: to admit as qualified to be heard at a meeting
recognizes the delegate from Arkansas
3
: to grant diplomatic recognition to
recognized the new government
4
: to take approving notice of
recognize an act of bravery with a medal
5
: to show one is acquainted with
recognize someone with a nod
6
: to know and remember upon seeing
I didn't recognize you in that new hairdo
recognizability noun
recognizable adjective
recognizably adverb
Etymology

derived from early French reconoistre "to recognize," from Latin recognoscere (same meaning), from re- "again" and cognoscere "to know" — related to connoisseur, incognito

Legal Definition

recognize

transitive verb
rec·​og·​nize
recognized; recognizing
1
: to acknowledge formally: as
a
: to admit as being of a particular status
recognize a precedent
recognize a union
specifically : to acknowledge (as a right, cause of action, or defense) as valid
b
: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to
c
: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of
refused to recognize the new government
2
: to account for as real, received, or incurred and treat and record appropriately
specifically : to account for (a gain, loss, expense, or income) on current accounting or tax records
recognized the gain when she included it as income on her tax return
compare realize

More from Merriam-Webster on recognize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!