/ ˌrekəgˈnɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] the act of remembering who sb is when you see them, or of identifying what sth is :
He glanced briefly towards her but there was no sign of recognition.
the automatic recognition of handwriting and printed text by computer
2.
[ sing. , U ] recognition (that ... ) the act of accepting that sth exists, is true or is official :
a growing recognition that older people have potential too
There is a general recognition of the urgent need for reform.
to seek international / official / formal recognition as a sovereign state
3.
[ U ] recognition (for sth) public praise and reward for sb's work or actions :
She gained only minimal recognition for her work.
He received the award in recognition of his success over the past year.
•
IDIOMS
- to change, alter, etc. beyond / out of (all) recognition
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (denoting the acknowledgement of a service): from Latin recognitio(n-) , from the verb recognoscere know again, recall to mind, from re- again + cognoscere learn.