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recognizance

American  
[ri-kog-nuh-zuhns, -kon-uh-] / rɪˈkɒg nə zəns, -ˈkɒn ə- /

noun

  1. Law.

    1. a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.

    2. the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.

  2. Archaic. recognition.

  3. Archaic. a token; badge.

recognizance British  
/ rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns /

noun

  1. law

    1. a bond entered into before a court or magistrate by which a person binds himself to do a specified act, as to appear in court on a stated day, keep the peace, or pay a debt

    2. a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act

  2. an obsolete word for recognition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • recognizant adjective

Etymology

Origin of recognizance

1350–1400; Middle English reconissaunce, recognisance < Old French reconuissance. See recognize, -ance

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.

He was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court on April 1.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

The 68-year-old was released from a New Mexico jail on his own recognizance Jan. 20.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

A judge released Lemon without bail on his own recognizance.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026

Lemon was released on his own recognizance after a brief court appearance in Los Angeles and has vowed to fight the charges.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

Daddy Clidell was to look after me but I was more or less left on my own recognizance and under the unsteady gaze of our lady roomers.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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.