self-recognition

noun

self-rec·​og·​ni·​tion ˌself-ˌre-kig-ˈni-shən 

-kəg-

1

: recognition of one's own self

2

: the process by which the immune system of an organism distinguishes between the body's own chemicals, cells, and tissues and those of foreign organisms and agents

Examples of self-recognition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lent is a time of preparation and self-recognition prior to Easter. — Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026

Lent is a time of preparation and self-recognition before Easter. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Mar. 2026

Whether or not dogs have awareness of themselves as an individual and any sort of mirror self-recognition is still up for debate. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2025

That hint of self-recognition winds up being heartbreaking, giving the film’s drama a certain gravity that almost works against its more old-fashioned pleasures. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-recognition

• academician
• cycloaddition
• decomposition
• diagnostician
• disinhibition
• indisposition
• interposition
• juxtaposition
• mathematician
• metacognition
• metaphysician
• neurotransmission

Medical Definition

self-recognition

noun

self-rec·​og·​ni·​tion -ˌrek-əg-ˈnish-ən 

: the process by which the immune system of an organism distinguishes between the body's own chemicals, cells, and tissues and those of foreign organisms or agents compare self-tolerance