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

He has since been released on his own recognizance with electronic monitoring installed. —The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024

His attorney, however, has asked that he be released on his own recognizance or have his bond lowered. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2024

She was booked in Shelby County jail on a charge of child neglect (8 years of age or less) and was released on her own recognizance, records show. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2024

Five of the seven were arraigned and released on their own recognizance: Yorman Reveron, 24; Darwin Andres Gomez-Izquiel, 19; Kelvin Servita Arocha, 19; Wilson Juarez, 21; and Jhoan Boada, 22. —Jonathan Dienst, NBC News, 7 Feb. 2024

Fraser was in court Wednesday for the cases and bail was set at $5,000 without conditions or release on his personal recognizance with conditions. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2024

Worden was arraigned Wednesday and released on his own recognizance, court records show. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

Subsequently, she was released on her own recognizance. —The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

She was released in mid-April on her own recognizance. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 15 Mar. 2024

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