recognize

play

verb rec·og·nize \ˈre-kig-ˌnīz, -kəg-\

Definition of recognize

recognized

;

recognizing

transitive verb
1 : to acknowledge formally: such asa : to admit as being lord or sovereignb : to admit as being of a particular statusc : to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor tod : to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of
2 : to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such asa : to acknowledge with a show of appreciation recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medalb : to acknowledge acquaintance with recognize a neighbor with a nod
3a : to perceive to be something or someone previously known recognized the wordb : to perceive clearly : realize

recognizability

play \ˌre-kig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -kəg-\ noun

recognizable

play \ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-bəl, -kig-\ adjective

recognizably

play \-blē\ adverb

recognizer

noun

See recognize defined for English-language learners

See recognize defined for kids

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 of recognize from the Web

That designation is not recognized by other Muslims.

— Bloomberg.com, "US-Backed Syrian Fighters Advancing Toward IS-held Raqqa", 3 June 2017
Of course the Greatest Generation would see it and recognize a lot from what maybe happened to them.

— jessi virtusio, Post-Tribune, "'Last Train to Nibroc' launches Canterbury's season", 1 June 2017
The 1993 dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial recognized the thousands of women who served courageously in Vietnam.

— james e. wright, The Atlantic, "The Challenge of Memorializing America's Wars", 29 May 2017
But in 2007 the military added a pentacle to its official list of religious symbols that can be engraved on headstones, so it now can be publicly recognized.

— jon schwarz, The Intercept, "We Need Memorial Day to Obscure the Unbearable Truth About War", 29 May 2017
As a tribute to Henderson, she was recognized Saturday at the driver’s meeting and a brick with her name on it was placed inside speedway’s museum.

— the associated press, The Seattle Times, "The Latest: Daly brings out 2nd caution at Indy 500", 28 May 2017
Nearly six years later, Nattiel will graduate Saturday from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., as a Rhodes Scholar recognized by Army officials for his efforts to help fellow cadets graduate.

— dan lamothe, Washington Post, "He lost his father in high school. Now he graduates from West Point as a Rhodes Scholar.", 26 May 2017
Mladenovic recognizes that players are emerging at more advanced ages than before, but Bencic’s travails are also a reminder of how ephemeral tennis success can be in this demanding, quick-shifting era.

— christopher clarey, New York Times, "Kristina Mladenovic Offers Hope to Keep the French Open Trophy at Home", 26 May 2017
When were you recognized as a member of the Century Club?

— mark lawton, chicagotribune.com, "Shout Out: Jon Stromberg, horse rider", 25 May 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of recognize

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

First Known Use: 1537

RECOGNIZE Defined for English Language Learners

recognize

play

verb

Definition of recognize for English Language Learners

: 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

RECOGNIZE Defined for Kids

recognize

play

verb rec·og·nize \ˈre-kig-ˌnīz\

Definition of recognize for Students

recognized

;

recognizing

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.

Law Dictionary

recognize

transitive verb rec·og·nize

Legal Definition of recognize

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