recognize

verb

rec·og·nize | \ ˈre-kig-ˌnīz

, -kəg-\

recognized; recognizing

Definition of recognize

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

3a : to perceive to be something or someone previously known recognized the word

b : to perceive clearly : realize

Other Words from recognize Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about recognize

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Other Words from recognize

recognizability \ ˌre-kig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, -kəg- \ noun

recognizable \ ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-bəl

, -kig- \ adjective

recognizably \ ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-blē

, -kig- \ 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

In 2000, she was recognized and received an award as 1 of 6 Nurses in the World who made major contributions to the field of Pain Medicine. — sun-sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/5," 5 June 2019 However, the Navajos' work wasn't recognized until after the US government declassified the operation in 1968. — Michelle Lou, CNN, "William Tully Brown is the third Navajo Code Talker to die in the last month. Now, only five remain," 5 June 2019 And thanks to a suggestion from the team, his accomplishment has now been recognized worldwide and on the most magnificent scale possible. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Raptors Fan Hangs Kawhi Leonard's Poster Over Giannis in the Louvre," 5 June 2019 This month, after decades of sharing their music locally, the group will be recognized by the Maryland State Arts Council with a Maryland Traditions Heritage Award for its stewardship of the living tradition. — Patti Restivo, baltimoresun.com, "Howard County nonprofit earns state honors for preserving Puerto Rican music and dance," 5 June 2019 Not the Constitution; the Constitution recognizes the property in many forms, and imposes obligations in connection with that recognition. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "Life On The Race Beat: RaceAhead," 4 June 2019 And that profound satisfaction of feeling recognized and heard on one’s own visual terms was a common refrain throughout the evening. — Robin Givhan, Washington Post, "The fashion industry gave Barbie an award. Does she really deserve one?," 4 June 2019 Current flu vaccines induce the production of antibodies that recognize the hemagglutinin head and inhibit its ability to mediate viral entry into a cell. — Debbie Ponchner, Scientific American, "New Finding Advances the Search for a Universal Flu Vaccine," 3 June 2019 The cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France is a monument recognized around the world, and home to many priceless historical Christian artifacts—many of which people feared wouldn't make it through the devastating fire on April 15. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Here Are All Of The Precious Artifacts Saved From the Notre Dame Fire," 17 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recognize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for recognize

The first known use of recognize was in 1537

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More Definitions for recognize

recognize

verb

English Language Learners Definition of recognize

: to know and remember (someone or something) because of previous knowledge or experience

: to accept or be aware that (something) is true or exists

: to accept and approve of (something) as having legal or official authority

See the full definition for recognize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

recognize

verb

rec·og·nize | \ ˈre-kig-ˌnīz

recognized; recognizing

Kids Definition of recognize

1 : to know and remember upon seeing I recognized an old friend.

2 : to be willing to accept I recognized my own faults.

3 : to take approving notice of They recognized his bravery with a medal.

recognize

transitive verb

rec·og·nize

recognized; recognizing

Legal Definition of recognize

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