recognize
verb
rec·og·nize
ˈre-kig-ˌnīz 
-kəg-
recognized; recognizing
1
: to acknowledge formally: such as
a
: to admit as being lord or sovereign
b
: to admit as being of a particular status
c
: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to
d
: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of
2
: to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such as
a
: to acknowledge with a show of appreciation
recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medal
b
: to acknowledge acquaintance with
recognize a neighbor with a nod
3
a
: to perceive to be something or someone previously known
recognized the word
b
: to perceive clearly : realize
recognizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of recognize in a Sentence
I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut.
I can always recognize him from far away by the way he walks.
They recognized the odor at once.
The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country.
They refused to recognize the treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web
To get around this, players have to be 25 or older and have played for at least six seasons in a foreign league which is recognized by MLB.
—
Jamie Barton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Israel captured the Golan Heights during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it, a move recognized only by the U.S.
The international community continues to regard the area as occupied.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
In fact, more than 30 countries recognize birthright citizenship, most of them in the Western Hemisphere.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
But Krasne did man the prosthetic paws shown digging in the transition scene, and in the movie’s trailer, when Adams’s character slips and pratfalls across kitchen tiles, Krasne recognized her own work.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognize 
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Jamie Barton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Israel captured the Golan Heights during the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it, a move recognized only by the U.S.
The international community continues to regard the area as occupied.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
In fact, more than 30 countries recognize birthright citizenship, most of them in the Western Hemisphere.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
But Krasne did man the prosthetic paws shown digging in the transition scene, and in the movie’s trailer, when Adams’s character slips and pratfalls across kitchen tiles, Krasne recognized her own work.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognize
Dictionary Entries Near recognize
Cite this Entry
“Recognize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognize. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recognize
verb
rec·og·nize
ˈrek-ig-ˌnīz
ˈrek-əg-
recognized; recognizing
1
: to be willing to admit : acknowledge
recognized my own faults
2
: to admit as qualified to be heard at a meeting
recognizes the delegate from Arkansas
3
: to grant diplomatic recognition to
recognized the new government
4
: to take approving notice of
recognize an act of bravery with a medal
5
: to show one is acquainted with
recognize someone with a nod
6
: to know and remember upon seeing
I didn't recognize you in that new hairdo
Etymology
derived from early French reconoistre "to recognize," from Latin recognoscere (same meaning), from re- "again" and cognoscere "to know" — related to connoisseur, incognito
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