noun ·4 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court. countable, uncountable

   "The defendant was released on his own recognizance."

2. 2
   (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited wordnet
3. 3
   A token; a symbol; a pledge. countable, uncountable

   "That recognizance and pledge of love / Which I first gave her."

4. 4
   Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms

acknowledgmentagreementarrangementbailbondcommitment

Example

More examples

"The defendant was released on his own recognizance."

Etymology

From Middle English reconisaunce, from Old French reconissance. Doublet of reconnaissance.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.