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

After being released on his own recognizance, Polo G and Trench Baby were arrested on a outstanding warrant on charges including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Oct. 2024

The special prosecutor who is now handling the case, Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor David Gast, agreed to the own recognizance bond, documents say. —Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024

According to court records, at the time of the Oakland robberies, the suspect was free on his own recognizance after being arrested on suspicion of committing a Jan. 4, 2024 armed robbery of a San Leandro fast-food restaurant. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024

Adams was released on his own recognizance, per the NYT. —April Rubin, Axios, 27 Sep. 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