as in bail
law
a legal promise made by someone before a court of law that must be kept to avoid being punished
After his arraignment, the suspect was released on his own recognizance.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recognizance
According to Superior Court of California, Yolo County court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Ajay Dev, 58, who had 76 convictions, was released on Friday, May 23, on his own recognizance (OR).
—
Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 29 May 2025
As of July 2024, the man remained released on his personal recognizance.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 May 2025
He is charged with intoxication manslaughter and was released two days later on a personal recognizance bond.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 3 June 2025
Retton was released from custody after paying a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, according to court information reviewed by Rolling Stone.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 29 May 2025
As of July 2024, the man remained released on his personal recognizance.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 May 2025
He is charged with intoxication manslaughter and was released two days later on a personal recognizance bond.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 3 June 2025
Retton was released from custody after paying a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, according to court information reviewed by Rolling Stone.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recognizance
bail
Noun
-
At Monday’s arraignment, when prosecutors revealed the details of the altercation, a judge ordered Horsman to be held without bail.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
-
Chen and Zhen made their initial court appearances in federal court in Brooklyn on Saturday before US Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon, who ordered them held without bail.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recognizance. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share