Recognition: meaning, definitions and examples

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recognition

 

[ ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in technology

The action or process of recognizing or being recognized, especially in an official capacity.

Synonyms

acknowledgment, identification, validation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recognition

Used when someone is formally acknowledged for their achievements or contributions. It can also mean the act of recognizing something or someone visually.

  • She received recognition for her tireless volunteer work.
  • His recognition of the old friend in the crowd was immediate.
identification

Used when referring to the act of recognizing or naming someone or something. Commonly used in security and everyday scenarios involving personal identity.

  • The police need proper identification to verify your identity.
  • Identification of the species helped in understanding the ecosystem better.
acknowledgment

Used when expressing thanks or acceptance. It can also denote the recognition of the existence or truth of something.

  • The professor gave her an acknowledgment at the end of his book.
  • A mere acknowledgment of the problem is not enough; action is needed.
validation

Used when confirming the legitimacy or truth of something, often used in contexts requiring proof or approval. Can be applied in emotional contexts as well.

  • The scientist’s theory gained validation through extensive experiments.
  • She sought validation from her peers for her feelings.

Examples of usage

  • The software uses facial recognition to unlock the phone.
  • Voice recognition technology has advanced significantly in recent years.
Context #2 | Noun

in psychology

Acknowledgment of something's existence, validity, or legality.

Synonyms

acclaim, appreciation, approval.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recognition

Used to describe the acknowledgment of someone's hard work or achievement, often in a professional setting.

  • She received recognition for her years of dedication to the company
  • The scientist's work gained international recognition
appreciation

Used to show gratitude or thankfulness for someone's effort, kindness, or quality, often in a personal or casual context.

  • I wanted to express my appreciation for all your help
  • Her efforts were met with heartfelt appreciation from the team
approval

Used when someone is given formal permission or endorsement, often in situations requiring validation or agreement from an authority figure.

  • The project received approval from the board of directors
  • She looked for her parents' approval before making the decision
acclaim

Used when someone or something is praised publicly and enthusiastically, especially by critics or the public.

  • The movie received widespread acclaim from film critics
  • The author's novel was met with critical acclaim

Examples of usage

  • She sought recognition for her hard work.
  • The award was a well-deserved recognition of his talent.
Context #3 | Noun

in a social setting

Special notice or attention.

Synonyms

admiration, commendation, praise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recognition

Use this word when acknowledging someone's achievements or efforts, often formally or publicly.

  • She received recognition for her outstanding research work
  • The company gave him recognition for his years of dedication
commendation

Use this word when formally praising someone, especially in an official or authoritative context.

  • The soldier received a commendation for his bravery in the field
  • The council issued a commendation for her volunteer work
praise

Use this word when expressing warm approval or admiration, can be used in both informal and formal settings.

  • The teacher praised the student's hard work
  • The manager praised the team for meeting the project deadline
admiration

Use this word when expressing a feeling of great respect and approval for someone or something.

  • He looked at her with admiration for her courage
  • The students have deep admiration for their teacher

Examples of usage

  • He received recognition for his outstanding contribution.
  • The recognition she received from her peers meant a lot to her.

Translations

Translations of the word "recognition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reconhecimento

🇮🇳 पहचान

🇩🇪 Erkennung

🇮🇩 pengakuan

🇺🇦 визнання

🇵🇱 rozpoznanie

🇯🇵 認識 (にんしき)

🇫🇷 reconnaissance

🇪🇸 reconocimiento

🇹🇷 tanıma

🇰🇷 인식 (insik)

🇸🇦 اعتراف

🇨🇿 rozpoznání

🇸🇰 rozpoznanie

🇨🇳 识别 (shíbié)

🇸🇮 prepoznavanje

🇮🇸 viðurkenning

🇰🇿 мойындау

🇬🇪 აღიარება

🇦🇿 tanıma

🇲🇽 reconocimiento

Etymology

The word 'recognition' originated from the Latin word 'recognitio', which means 'the action of recognizing'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 15th century. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass various contexts, from technology to social interactions.

See also: recognizable, recognize, recognized, recognizing, underrecognized, unrecognizable.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,888, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.