recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s 
-ˈkä-nə-
Examples of recognizance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After being released on his own recognizance, Polo G and Trench Baby were arrested on a outstanding warrant on charges including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Oct. 2024
The special prosecutor who is now handling the case, Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor David Gast, agreed to the own recognizance bond, documents say.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024
According to court records, at the time of the Oakland robberies, the suspect was free on his own recognizance after being arrested on suspicion of committing a Jan. 4, 2024 armed robbery of a San Leandro fast-food restaurant.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
Adams was released on his own recognizance, per the NYT.
—April Rubin, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognizance 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Oct. 2024
The special prosecutor who is now handling the case, Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor David Gast, agreed to the own recognizance bond, documents say.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024
According to court records, at the time of the Oakland robberies, the suspect was free on his own recognizance after being arrested on suspicion of committing a Jan. 4, 2024 armed robbery of a San Leandro fast-food restaurant.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
Adams was released on his own recognizance, per the NYT.
—April Rubin, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recognizance
Dictionary Entries Near recognizance
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognizance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s
-ˈkän-ə-
: a recorded legal promise to do something (as to appear in court)
Legal Definition
recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zəns
1
: an obligation entered into on the record before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as the paying of a debt) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture
also
: the sum liable to forfeiture
2
: a simple personal obligation or undertaking (as to appear in court) entered into before a magistrate and having no money penalty attached
released on his own recognizance
Etymology
Anglo-French recognisance, reconisance, literally, recognition, from Old French reconoisance, from reconoistre to recognize, from Latin recognoscere
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share