recognition
reh-kuhg-NIHSHN
Recognition (noun) means the act of identifying someone or something as already known. Example: “A flicker of recognition crossed her face when she saw him.”
noun
1
The act of identifying someone or something as already known.
"A flicker of recognition crossed her face when she saw him."
"The dog's tail wagged in recognition as soon as his owner came through the door."
"She changed her hair so much that he walked past her without any recognition."
2
Public acknowledgment or credit for something, especially achievement.
"He finally received recognition for his years of research."
"The volunteers deserve recognition for the hours they gave to the community."
"She won widespread recognition after her first novel became a bestseller."
3
Formal acceptance that something (such as a government or qualification) is valid.
"The rebel movement sought international recognition as a legitimate government."
"Many students wait for official recognition of their foreign degrees before applying for jobs."
"The country has not yet been granted formal recognition by its neighbours."
How to use recognition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIdentifying something familiar, or being formally acknowledged/credited for something.
Common pairings
gain recognition
facial recognition
in recognition of
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Word forms
- Plural
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A flicker of _____ crossed her face when she saw him.
Etymology
From Latin recognitio, "a re-examining," itself from recognoscere, "to know again" (re- + cognoscere, "to learn, come to know").
Synonyms
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identification
detection
recall
discernment
recollection
credit
realization
acknowledgment
realisation
acknowledgement
Related words
Rhymes for recognition
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for recognition →
Frequently asked questions
What does “recognition” mean?
The word “recognition” means the act of identifying someone or something as already known. In plain terms, identifying something familiar, or being formally acknowledged/credited for something.
How do you pronounce “recognition”?
“Recognition” is pronounced reh-kuhg-NIHSHN (/ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “recognition” in a sentence?
Here is “recognition” used in a sentence: “A flicker of recognition crossed her face when she saw him.”
What part of speech is “recognition”?
“Recognition” is a noun.
Where does the word “recognition” come from?
The word “recognition” comes from Latin. From Latin recognitio, "a re-examining," itself from recognoscere, "to know again" (re- + cognoscere, "to learn, come to know").
Is “recognition” a common word?
“Recognition” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “recognition” have?
“Recognition” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of identifying someone or something as already known.
What is the difference between recognition and recall?
Both are ways of remembering. Recognition is identifying something as already known when you meet it again — spotting a familiar face or the right answer in a list. Recall is retrieving it from memory with no prompt, like naming the answer from scratch. Recognition is usually the easier of the two.
What are the types of recognition?
In technology, common forms include facial recognition, voice or speech recognition, handwriting recognition and pattern recognition, all of which identify something as a known match. In everyday life, recognition can mean identifying a person, place or object you have met before. A separate sense means public credit or acknowledgement.
What is the difference between recognition and acknowledgement?
In this sense, recognition means identifying someone or something as already known. Acknowledgement means admitting or accepting that something is true or exists. The words overlap in the separate sense of giving credit — "recognition for good work" — but the core meaning here is about spotting the familiar.
What is an example of recognition?
Seeing an old classmate across a room and instantly knowing who they are is recognition. So is a phone unlocking when it identifies your face, or a shopper spotting a familiar brand on a shelf. In each case the mind matches what it senses to something already stored.
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