recognition

recognition — noun

1. the act of officially accepting that something is real, correct, or has legal fo

1.nounB2
Definition

the act of officially accepting that something is real, correct, or has legal force — for example, a government acknowledging a new nation, or an institution validating a claim

Example

The government granted diplomatic recognition to the newly formed nation.

diplomatic recognition — collocation in political contexts

There is growing recognition that climate change requires immediate action from world leaders.

recognition + that-clause for stating a widely accepted fact

Common collocations
  • diplomatic recognition
  • formal recognition
  • official recognition
  • recognition that
  • recognition of
  • gain recognition
  • receive recognition
Synonyms
  • acknowledgment

    less formal; can mean simply admitting something exists without necessarily endorsing it

  • acceptance

    focuses on agreeing to something rather than formally validating it

  • admission

    often implies reluctance; used when someone concedes an uncomfortable truth

Antonyms
  • denial

    refusing to accept that something is true or real

Grammar Patterns

recognition + that-clause

recognition of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used in political, legal, or institutional contexts. When followed by a that-clause, the subject is frequently an impersonal noun like 'there' or 'growing'.

Common Mistakes

The company received acknowledgment for its safety record.' (when meaning official validation)
The company received recognition for its safety record.
'acknowledgment' can mean simply admitting something exists; 'recognition' implies formal or official acceptance.

2. the public praise, admiration, or reward given to a person because of their achi

2.nounB2
Definition

the public praise, admiration, or reward given to a person because of their achievements, talent, or positive contributions

Example

Imani received national recognition for her volunteer work with refugee families.

receive national recognition — collocation with achievement-based context

The young pianist gained international recognition after winning the competition.

gain international recognition — collocation with career milestone

Common collocations
  • national recognition
  • international recognition
  • gain recognition
  • receive recognition
  • earn recognition
  • recognition for
  • recognition as
Synonyms
  • praise

    more direct and verbal; less formal than recognition

  • acclaim

    stronger, more enthusiastic public approval; often used for artistic achievements

  • admiration

    focuses on personal respect rather than formal or public reward

Antonyms
  • disregard

    lack of attention or appreciation for someone's efforts

Grammar Patterns

recognition for + noun phrase

recognition as + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently paired with verbs of receiving: 'gain', 'win', 'earn', 'achieve', 'receive'. Unlike 'fame', recognition is typically earned through merit or positive contributions rather than mere publicity.

Common Mistakes

The pop star enjoyed fame for her charity work.' (fame = being widely known, not necessarily deserved)
The pop star received recognition for her charity work.
'recognition' implies deserved appreciation; 'fame' is about being well-known regardless of merit.

3. the capacity to identify a person or object as familiar after having encountered

3.nounB1
Definition

the capacity to identify a person or object as familiar after having encountered them on an earlier occasion

Example

Daichi did not show any sign of recognition when I mentioned the restaurant.

sign of recognition — collocation for observable reaction

Facial recognition software is now used at airports to check passengers' identities.

facial recognition — technical collocation in computing / security

Common collocations
  • facial recognition
  • speech recognition
  • pattern recognition
  • sign of recognition
  • shock of recognition
  • beyond recognition
  • recognition of
Synonyms
  • identification

    more active and deliberate process; often used in official contexts

  • recall

    different cognitive process — bringing a memory to mind, not matching a present stimulus

Grammar Patterns

recognition of + noun phrase

beyond recognition

Usage Note

Common in technical compounds such as 'facial recognition', 'speech recognition', 'pattern recognition'. The fixed phrase 'beyond recognition' means changed so drastically that identification is no longer possible.

Common Mistakes

I have a good memory for faces.' (memory = the ability to store information)
I have good facial recognition.
'memory' covers recall; 'recognition' is specifically about identifying things as familiar.
Idioms

to change, alter, etc. beyond/out of (all) recognition

idiom

To become so different that it is almost impossible to know what it was before.

The old neighborhood has changed beyond recognition since the new buildings went up.

After the renovation, the house was altered out of all recognition.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words relate to positive public attention, but they differ in formality and scope. 'Praise' is the most direct and personal — you can praise a friend's cooking, but you would not usually say a friend 'received recognition' for it. 'Acclaim' is more enthusiastic and public, often used for artistic or creative achievement: a film may win critical acclaim, but not typically 'praise' from critics. 'Admiration' focuses on the feeling of respect someone inspires rather than any formal reward; you can feel admiration for a colleague's patience without ever expressing it. 'Fame' is the odd one out — it means being widely known, which can happen without any merit at all. For example: 'The activist received national recognition for her work, but her fame on social media came from an unrelated viral video.'

praise ↗acclaim ↗admiration ↗fame ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • recognition that
  • recognition of

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in recognition of
  • beyond recognition

Prepositions

  • in recognition of

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'recognitio' (a review, investigation), from 'recognoscere' (to know again, recall), from 're-' (again) + 'cognoscere' (to get to know). Entered English through Old French 'recognition' in the 15th century, originally carrying the sense of 'knowledge of an object from past experience'. The political and admiration senses developed later.