recognize
verb
rec·og·nize
ˈre-kig-ˌnīz 
-kəg-
recognized; recognizing
1
: to acknowledge formally: such as
a
: to admit as being lord or sovereign
b
: to admit as being of a particular status
c
: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to
d
: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of
2
: to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such as
a
: to acknowledge with a show of appreciation
recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medal
b
: to acknowledge acquaintance with
recognize a neighbor with a nod
3
a
: to perceive to be something or someone previously known
recognized the word
b
: to perceive clearly : realize
recognizer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of recognize in a Sentence
I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut.
I can always recognize him from far away by the way he walks.
They recognized the odor at once.
The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country.
They refused to recognize the treaty.
Recent Examples on the Web
In a post-debate interview, Levy, the Texas AFL-CIO president, said that by agreeing to the three-way faceoff, the candidates recognized labor’s importance to the Texas Democratic constituency.
—
Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
By 2011, the service had recognized more than one billion songs, and by the following year, that number had increased to five billion, with the 15 billion milestone following in 2014.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
Creo and Sony will also award the Sustainability Prize to reward a film that communicates on key themes linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as well as an award for Future Format, which will recognize short films shot exclusively on a smartphone.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024
Valley Metro will recognize Footprint Center event tickets as valid light rail fare on the day of the event for four hours prior to the start of the event through the end of the transit day.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognize 
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show current usage.
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Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
By 2011, the service had recognized more than one billion songs, and by the following year, that number had increased to five billion, with the 15 billion milestone following in 2014.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024
Creo and Sony will also award the Sustainability Prize to reward a film that communicates on key themes linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as well as an award for Future Format, which will recognize short films shot exclusively on a smartphone.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024
Valley Metro will recognize Footprint Center event tickets as valid light rail fare on the day of the event for four hours prior to the start of the event through the end of the transit day.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognize
Dictionary Entries Near recognize
Cite this Entry
“Recognize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recognize
verb
rec·og·nize
ˈrek-ig-ˌnīz
ˈrek-əg-
recognized; recognizing
1
: to be willing to admit : acknowledge
recognized my own faults
2
: to admit as qualified to be heard at a meeting
recognizes the delegate from Arkansas
3
: to grant diplomatic recognition to
recognized the new government
4
: to take approving notice of
recognize an act of bravery with a medal
5
: to show one is acquainted with
recognize someone with a nod
6
: to know and remember upon seeing
I didn't recognize you in that new hairdo
Etymology
derived from early French reconoistre "to recognize," from Latin recognoscere (same meaning), from re- "again" and cognoscere "to know" — related to connoisseur, incognito
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