recognition
- 1The act of knowing someone or something because you have seen them before.
Like spotting a friend in a crowd and suddenly knowing it's them.
There was a flash of recognition on her face when she saw her old teacher.
The dog showed instant recognition of its owner's voice at the door.
Similaridentification, recollection
Note
- 2Praise or attention given to someone for what they have done.
Like getting a gold star for doing a great job.
She finally got the recognition she deserved after years of hard work.
The award gave the small team some national recognition.
Similaracclaim, credit, appreciation, honor, praise
- 3Agreeing that something is true, real, or correct.
Like a teacher marking your answer as correct.
The new safety rules gained quick recognition from all the members.
Their marriage won legal recognition in another country.
Similaracceptance, acknowledgment, validation, endorsement
Oppositerejection
Note
- 4When one country officially accepts a new government of another country as real and legal.
Like a club officially saying a new member is allowed to join.
The new government is still waiting for recognition from its neighbors.
Several countries gave the rebel leaders official recognition.
Similaracknowledgment, accreditation
- 5The way the body's defense cells lock onto one specific germ and not others.
Like a key that fits only one lock and no other.
Recognition lets the immune system attack harmful germs while leaving healthy cells alone.
Each defender cell's recognition of a single germ makes the body's response very exact.
Similarbinding
Note
- 6In old Scottish law, the giving back of held land to the lord who owned it.
Like land going back to its owner when the renter breaks the agreement.
The lord claimed recognition of the land after the tenant broke the rules of his holding.
When the heir failed in his duties, recognition returned the farm to the lord.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of recognition apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It came through Middle English and Middle French from Latin, from the verb 'recognoscere'.