acknowledgment
Americannoun
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an act of acknowledging.
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recognition of the existence or truth of something.
the acknowledgment of a sovereign power.
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an expression of appreciation.
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a thing done or given in appreciation or gratitude.
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Law.
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a declaration before an official that one has executed a particular legal document.
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an official certificate of a formal acknowledging.
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public recognition by a man of an illegitimate child as his own.
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noun
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the act of acknowledging or state of being acknowledged
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something done or given as an expression of thanks, as a reply to a message, etc
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(plural) an author's statement acknowledging his use of the works of other authors, usually printed at the front of a book
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acknowledgment
First recorded in 1585–95; acknowledge + -ment
Explanation
When you recognize or admit the truth of something, you make an acknowledgment. Your grumpy friend who never gets enough sleep? He needs to make an acknowledgment of what his late nights are doing to his mood. Other kinds of acknowledgments give credit where it's due. Research papers that quote other people's words or ideas contain acknowledgments that name the source. Publicly thanking someone is another kind of acknowledgment. Award winners at the Oscars and other ceremonies often rattle off a big list of names, acknowledgement for their contribution to the winner's success.
Vocabulary lists containing acknowledgment
Lesson 1
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"Amigo Brothers" and "Lean on Me"
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The Tale of Despereaux
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A "grudging" acknowledgment that he had handled the UK's response to the Iran war well had been soured by the Lord Mandelson saga, they said.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
After being told that some of the judges were also privy councillors, he briefly removed his hat in acknowledgment.
From Science Daily • May 7, 2026
He is expected to delivered prepared remarks about the two nations’ shared history and their enduring diplomatic ties, while offering measured acknowledgment to the tensions defining the current moment.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
In trying to disassociate herself from the scandal, Melania’s lack of acknowledgment of her husband’s ties to Epstein stands out as a confusing, but increasingly familiar, bit of cognitive dissonance.
From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026
“Yes,” Obinze said quietly, and that word, yes, was an acknowledgment to the red-cheeked immigration officer, to Iloba and to Cleotilde, and to himself that it was over.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
