recognition

American  

[rek-uhg-nish-uhn] / ˌrɛk əgˈnɪʃ ən /

noun

• recognitions
  plural

1. an act of recognizing or the state of being recognized.

2. the identification of something as having been previously seen, heard, known, etc.

3. the perception of something as existing or true; realization.

4. the acknowledgment of something as valid or as entitled to consideration.

   the recognition of a claim.

5. the acknowledgment of achievement, service, merit, etc.

   Synonyms:

   acceptance, notice

6. the expression of this in the form of some token of appreciation.

   This promotion constitutes our recognition of her exceptional ability.

7. formal acknowledgment conveying approval or sanction.

8. acknowledgment of right to be heard or given attention.

   The chairman refused recognition to any delegate until order could be restored.

9. Psychology. the act or process of retrieving information previously encoded and stored in memory, when cued with the targeted information itself.

   The paper studies the effect of storytelling on English learners’ recognition of vocabulary words.

10. International Law. an official act by which one state acknowledges the existence of another state or government, or of belligerency or insurgency.

11. the automated conversion of information, as words or images, into a form that can be processed by a machine, especially a computer or computerized device.

12. Biochemistry. the responsiveness of one substance to another based on the reciprocal fit of a portion of their molecular shapes.

---

recognition British  

/ ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of recognizing or fact of being recognized

2. acceptance or acknowledgment of a claim, duty, fact, truth, etc

3. a token of thanks or acknowledgment

4. formal acknowledgment of a government or of the independence of a country

5. an instance of a chairman granting a person the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc

---

recognition Cultural  

1. In diplomacy, the act by which one nation acknowledges that a foreign government is a legitimate government and exchanges diplomats with it. The withholding of recognition is a way for one government to show its disapproval of another.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prerecognition
  noun
• recognitional
  adjective
• recognitive
  adjective
• recognitory
  adjective
• unrecognitory
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• recognitions
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of recognition

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English recognicion, either from Old French or directly from Latin recognitiōn- (stem of recognitiō ), equivalent to recognit(us) (past participle of recognōscere; see recognize) + -iōn- -ion

---

Explanation

Recognition is when you remember something or someone you're familiar with — like the flash of recognition you experience at your high school reunion. Recognition isn't just about remembering what something looks like — it's also used to describe when you remember that someone has done something special, and decide to recognize their efforts with an award or speech. This type of recognition is a form of acknowledgment, a way to say "we approve" or "good work!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

recognition recognitions

Earlier recognition of possible changes in brain function could become increasingly important as researchers work toward treatments that slow or prevent Parkinson's progression.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2026

Von der Leyen said they would also work on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, opening up opportunities that even EU partners, like the U.K., lack.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

"The recognition of our values and the ability to work together has never been more important," Carney said, noting Brussels and Ottawa faced "a rupture in the global system."

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

Masterminding individual wins in big games tend to garner Mourinho warranted praise, but his wider approach does not always get the recognition it probably deserves.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

“Wait a minute,” said Dozer, his face brightening with recognition.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

These are tacit recognitions of the problem, but not actual solutions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

But the other religious recognitions worn by Girl Scouts are developed and administered by outside faith organizations.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026

“The decision about how to commemorate the movement and its participants rests with the local communities who organize those recognitions, events and commemorations. That has always been the case,” the foundation’s statement said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026

A fundraiser in Drogheda on Friday aims to boost the campaign for a statue in Gogarty's honour; it would be one of the few recognitions of her achievements in Ireland.

From BBC ● May 17, 2023

"As we drive along," whispered he to Bella, "just watch the recognitions fellows will throw me,—a look, a gesture, a sign, scarcely perceptible, but enough to say, 'Your Excellency may depend upon us.'"

From Tony Butler by Charles James Lever

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• acceptance
• admission
• appreciation
• awareness
• concession
• perception
• realization
• respect
• understanding

---