recognize

[ rek-uhg-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, rec·og·nized, rec·og·niz·ing.

1. to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.:

   He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.

2. to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics:

   I recognized him from the description.

   They recognized him as a fraud.

3. to perceive as existing or true; realize:

   to be the first to recognize a fact.

   Synonyms: concede, grant, understand, appreciate, acknowledge

4. to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time:

   The Speaker recognized the congressman from Maine.

5. to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit:

   The United States promptly recognized Israel.

6. to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation:

   to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.

7. to acknowledge or treat as valid:

   to recognize a claim.

8. to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.
9. to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.
10. Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.
11. Biochemistry, Immunology. to bind with, cleave, or otherwise react to (another substance) as a result of fitting its molecular shape or a portion of its shape.

recognize

/ ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to perceive (a person, creature, or thing) to be the same as or belong to the same class as something previously seen or known; know again
2. to accept or be aware of (a fact, duty, problem, etc)

   to recognize necessity

3. to give formal acknowledgment of the status or legality of (a government, an accredited representative, etc)
4. to grant (a person) the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc
5. to give a token of thanks for (a service rendered, etc)
6. to make formal acknowledgment of (a claim, etc)
7. to show approval or appreciation of (something good or pleasing)
8. to acknowledge or greet (a person), as when meeting by chance
9. intr to enter into a recognizance

Derived Forms

• ˈrecogˌnizable, adjective
• ˌrecogˌnizaˈbility, noun
• ˈrecogˌnizably, adverb
• ˈrecogˌnizer, noun

Other Words From

• rec·og·niz·a·ble [rek, -, uh, g-nahy-z, uh, -b, uh, l, rek-, uh, g-, nahy, -], adjective
• recog·niza·bili·ty noun
• recog·niza·bly adverb
• recog·nizer noun
• non·recog·nized adjective
• pre·recog·nize verb (used with object) prerecognized prerecognizing
• quasi-recog·nized adjective
• un·recog·niza·ble adjective
• un·recog·niza·bly adverb
• un·recog·nized adjective
• un·recog·nizing adjective
• well-recog·nized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize¹

First recorded in 1425–75; recogn(ition) ( def ) + -ize ( def ); replacing late Middle English racunnysen, recognisen, from Old French reconuiss-, stem of reconuistre, from Latin recognōscere, equivalent to re- re- ( def ) + cognōscere “to know ¹( def ) ”; cognition ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize¹

C15: from Latin recognoscere to know again, from re- + cognoscere to know, ascertain

Example Sentences

“We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Recognizing the hot hand, which is a real thing, but recognizing the hot hand and then executing just shows a level of selflessness,” Redick said.

From Los Angeles Times

Located on a cell's surface, this protein-based sensor recognizes an external signal that triggers the cell to respond -- usually by turning on a user-defined gene.

From Science Daily

Zeldovich details the personal stories of the men who first recognized phages’ potential before moving into their modern rediscovery and ongoing development in the U.S.

From Salon

Ecocide is not an officially recognized crime under international law, as is genocide, but activists and activists say its consequences can have similar consequences.

From Salon

Related Words

• admit
• agree
• allow
• appreciate
• grant
• honor
• make
• perceive
• realize
• respect
• sanction
• see