The meaning of RECOGNIZE is to acknowledge formally. How to use recognize in a sentence.

RECOGNIZE definition: 1. to know someone or something because you have seen or heard him or her or experienced it before…. Learn more.

She didn't recognize me at first. Doctors are trained to recognize the symptoms of depression. If you recognize something such as a problem, you accept that it exists. Governments are beginning to …

to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation: to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.

Jan 20, 2026 · recognize (third-person singular simple present recognizes, present participle recognizing, simple past and past participle recognized) (North American and Oxford British spelling)

RECOGNIZE definition: to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.. See examples of recognize used in a sentence.

to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc. He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him

To be aware of as something or someone known before, or as the same as that known. To recognize an old friend after many years.

To avow or admit a knowledge of, with approval or sanction; acknowledge or accept formally: as, to recognize one as ambassador; to recognize a government as an independent sovereignty or as a …

Recognize implies that you have previously encountered the thing or person before and are able to recall it from memory. On the other hand, identify means that you are able to determine the …