What does "recognition" mean?
The act of recognizing or the condition of being recognized (matching a current observation with a memory of a prior observation of the same entity).
Recognition
/ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of recognizing or the condition of being recognized (matching a current observation with a memory of a prior observation of the same entity).
- Grammar: recognition is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: acknowledgment, identification, acceptance, acceptances.
- Useful contrasts: cultural obscurity, invisible status, unacknowledged.
- Usage evidence: When you speak of a pay-raise before recognition, I am inclined to think you are putting the cart before the horse.
How to use "recognition"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "recognition" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "recognition" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "recognition" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "recognition" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "recognition" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acknowledgment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "recognition", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of recognizing or the condition of being recognized (matching a current observation with a memory of a prior observation of the same entity). uncountable, usually
"He looked at her for ten full minutes before recognition dawned."
- 2 designation by the chair granting a person the right to speak in a deliberative body wordnet
- 3 Acceptance as valid or true. uncountable, usually
"The law was a recognition of their civil rights."
- 4 the process of recognizing something or someone by remembering wordnet
- 5 Official acceptance of the status of a new government by that of another country. uncountable, usually
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 coming to understand something clearly and distinctly wordnet
- 7 Honour, favourable note, or attention. uncountable, usually
"The charity gained plenty of recognition for its efforts, but little money."
- 8 an acceptance (as of a claim) as true and valid wordnet
- 9 The propriety consisting for antibodies to bind to some specific antigens and not to others. uncountable, usually
- 10 approval wordnet
- 11 A return of the feu to the superior. historical, uncountable, usually
- 12 the explicit and formal acknowledgement of a government or of the national independence of a country wordnet
- 13 (biology) the ability of one molecule to attach to another molecule that has a complementary shape wordnet
- 14 the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"When you speak of a pay-raise before recognition, I am inclined to think you are putting the cart before the horse."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "recognition"?
Common synonyms include: acknowledgment, identification, acceptance, acceptances, acclaim, acclaiming.
How do you use "recognition" in a sentence?
When you speak of a pay-raise before recognition, I am inclined to think you are putting the cart before the horse.
How do you pronounce "recognition"?
Pronounced /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/.
Etymology
From Middle English recognicion, from Middle French recognicion, recognition and its etymon Latin recognitiōnem (accusative of recognitiō), from recognitus, past participle of recognōscere.