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

Interviews by Laura May Todd Six people who found a new creative calling later in life — or for whom recognition was long overdue. —Kate Guadagnino, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Edward Enninful, global creative and cultural adviser of Vogue, current Valentino creative director Alessandro Michele, and Givenchy’s new creative director Sarah Burton were awarded the recognition in 2023, 2021 and 2019, respectively. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024

While Susan welcomed the global recognition Leonard received, his previous wife Sandra Zober apparently struggled with his fame. —Jp Mangalindan, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

The only glimmer of hope is provided by Jia En (Serene Lim), a dedicated NGO worker who seems to be making progress with the brothers’ case for recognition. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recognicion, from Anglo-French recognition, from Latin recognition-, recognitio, from recognoscere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recognition

• beyond (all) recognition
• self-recognition

Kids 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