Recognition Definition & Meaning

recognition
noun
  1. the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged; "the partners were delighted with the recognition of their work"; "she seems to avoid much in the way of recognition or acknowledgement of feminist work prior to her own"
  2. the process of recognizing something or someone by remembering; "a politician whose recall of names was as remarkable as his recognition of faces"; "experimental psychologists measure the elapsed time from the onset of the stimulus to its recognition by the observer"
  3. approval; "give her recognition for trying"; "he was given credit for his work"; "give her credit for trying"
  4. coming to understand something clearly and distinctly; "a growing realization of the risk involved"; "a sudden recognition of the problem he faced"; "increasing recognition that diabetes frequently coexists with other chronic diseases"
  5. (biology) the ability of one molecule to attach to another molecule that has a complementary shape; "molecular recognition drives all of biology, for instance, hormone and receptor or antibody-antigen interactions or the organization of molecules into larger biologically active entities"
  6. the explicit and formal acknowledgement of a government or of the national independence of a country; "territorial disputes were resolved in Guatemala's recognition of Belize in 1991"
  7. an acceptance (as of a claim) as true and valid; "the recognition of the Rio Grande as a boundary between Mexico and the United States"
  8. designation by the chair granting a person the right to speak in a deliberative body; "he was unable to make his motion because he couldn't get recognition by the chairman"

"Recognition" in song lyrics

See how recognition is used in real songs:

  • "Provide my whole heart, forget recognition"
    Dre Dog (Andre Nickatina) f/ Equipto — Dowutigotta
  • "I don't need no God damn trophy or award or, recognition."
    Apollo Brown & O.C. — Trophies
  • "So bring submission to the rap recognition"
    Artifacts — C'Mon Wit Da Git Down

Usage tips for "recognition"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "recognition" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for recognition to find words that pair well.

Use "recognition" in a verse

Now that you know what "recognition" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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