recognition
noun
rec·og·ni·tion
ˌre-kig-ˈni-shən 
-kəg-
1
: the action of recognizing : the state of being recognized: such as
a
: acknowledgment
especially
: formal acknowledgment of the political existence of a government or nation
b
: knowledge or feeling that someone or something present has been encountered before
2
: special notice or attention
3
: the sensing and encoding of printed or written data by a machine
optical character recognition
magnetic ink character recognition
Examples of recognition in a Sentence
The procedure is gaining recognition as the latest advance in organ transplant surgery.
The Olympic Committee gave official recognition to the sport.
His smile was a recognition that things were not so bad.
Her paintings received recognition from her fellow artists.
All she wanted was some recognition for her work.
He finally received the recognition that he deserved.
They were awarded medals in recognition of their bravery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shroyer first gained recognition for his work in the Prime Video series Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street.
—
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Distinguished schools Two Campbell schools have been named 2025 California Distinguished Schools, the state’s highest recognition for excellence in public education.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025
His background and experience from Trump’s first term gives him a modicum of credibility, and his current lowkey efforts to reintroduce process discipline and clarity into the frenetic tariff policy whiplash deserves recognition.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Celebrate Others' Successes When a co-worker receives recognition or achieves something noteworthy, make a conscious effort to feel genuine happiness for them.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognition
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Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Distinguished schools Two Campbell schools have been named 2025 California Distinguished Schools, the state’s highest recognition for excellence in public education.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025
His background and experience from Trump’s first term gives him a modicum of credibility, and his current lowkey efforts to reintroduce process discipline and clarity into the frenetic tariff policy whiplash deserves recognition.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Celebrate Others' Successes When a co-worker receives recognition or achieves something noteworthy, make a conscious effort to feel genuine happiness for them.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognition
Cite this Entry
“Recognition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognition. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recognition
noun
rec·og·ni·tion
ˌrek-ig-ˈnish-ən
ˌrek-əg-
1
: the act of recognizing
2
: acknowledgment of something done or given
got a medal in recognition of bravery
3
: formal acknowledgment of the political existence of a government or nation
4
: special attention or notice
Medical Definition
recognition
noun
rec·og·ni·tion
ˌrek-əg-ˈnish-ən
: the form of memory that consists in knowing or feeling that a present object has been met before
Legal Definition
recognition
noun
rec·og·ni·tion
ˌre-kəg-ˈni-shən
1
: the act, process, or fact of recognizing
2
: the state of being recognized
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