acknowledgment

noun

ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment ik-ˈnä-lij-mənt How to pronounce acknowledgment (audio)
ak-
variants or acknowledgement
1
a
: the act of acknowledging something or someone
acknowledgment of a mistake
b
: recognition or favorable notice of an act or achievement
received acknowledgment for his charitable works
2
: a thing done or given in recognition of something received
an author's acknowledgments of assistance
3
law : a declaration or avowal of one's act or of a fact to give it legal validity

Examples of acknowledgment in a Sentence

They made several public acknowledgments of their company's mistake. He paid the fine without acknowledgment of his guilt. Special acknowledgments will be made at the end of the meeting. He has finally received the acknowledgment he deserves for his charitable work. They presented him with an award in acknowledgment of his charitable work. He's the first person mentioned in the book's acknowledgments. We sent an acknowledgment that we received their letter. He never received an acknowledgment of his payment.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, the reference to his businesses — which include Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer trying to expand sales and production in China — is an unusual acknowledgment of concerns about Musk balancing his corporate and government responsibilities. Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025 For all his apparent hesitation, though, and his acknowledgment of the problems related to sports betting, Baker is also charged with helping his organization maximize profits. Made By History, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025 The White House provided no acknowledgment of these specifics. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 The first formal acknowledgment of Rioja wine was made by King Peter I of Navarra and Aragon in 1102, and by the 13th century merchants were selling wine from here across the whole of Europe. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acknowledgment

Word History

Etymology

acknowledge + -ment

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of acknowledgment was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acknowledgment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acknowledgment. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

acknowledgment

noun
ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment
variants also acknowledgement
1
a
: the act of acknowledging
b
: an act of acknowledging some deed or achievement
2
: something done or given in return for something received

Legal Definition

acknowledgment

noun
ac·​knowl·​edg·​ment
variants also acknowledgement
1
a
: the act of acknowledging
b
: the act of admitting paternity compare filiation
2
: a thing done or given in recognition of something received
an acknowledgment came in the mail
3
a
: a declaration or avowal of one's act or a fact to give it legal validity
specifically : a declaration before a duly qualified public officer (as a notary public) by a person who has executed an instrument that the execution was the person's free act and deed
b
: the formal certificate made by an officer before whom one has acknowledged a deed including as an essential part the signature and often the seal of the officer

More from Merriam-Webster on acknowledgment

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