recognize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
    know; recognise; acknowledge.
    • The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne
    • We do not recognize your gods
  2. verb be fully aware or cognizant of
    recognise; agnize; realise; agnise; realize.
  3. verb detect with the senses
    spot; make out; tell apart; recognise; distinguish; pick out; discern.
    • The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards
    • I can't make out the faces in this photograph
  4. verb perceive to be the same
    recognise.
  5. verb grant credentials to
    recognise; accredit.
    • The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution
    • recognize an academic degree
  6. verb express greetings upon meeting someone
    recognise; greet.
  7. verb express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for
    recognise; acknowledge.
    • We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us
  8. verb exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate)
  9. verb show approval or appreciation of
    recognise.
    • My work is not recognized by anybody!
    • The best student was recognized by the Dean

WordNet

Rec"og*nize transitive verb
Etymology
From Recognizance; see Cognition, and cf. Reconnoiter.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Recognized ; present participle & verbal noun Recognizing
Definitions
  1. To know again; to perceive the identity of, with a person or thing previously known; to recover or recall knowledge of.
    Speak, vassal; recognize thy sovereign queen. Harte.
  2. To avow knowledge of; to allow that one knows; to consent to admit, hold, or the like; to admit with a formal acknowledgment; as, to recognize an obligation; to recognize a consul.
  3. To acknowledge acquaintance with, as by salutation, bowing, or the like.
  4. To show appreciation of; as, to recognize services by a testimonial.
  5. To review; to reëxamine. Obs. South.
  6. To reconnoiter. Obs. R. Monro. Syn. -- To acknowledge; avow; confess; own; allow; concede. See Acknowledge.
Rec"og*nize intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Law) To enter an obligation of record before a proper tribunal; as, A, B recognized in the sum of twenty dollars. Written also recognise. ✍ In legal usage in the United States the second syllable is often accented.

Webster 1913