(recognizes, recognizing, recognized)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
Note: in BRIT, also use 'recognise'
1.
If you recognize someone or something, you know who that person is or what that thing is.
The receptionist recognized him at once...
A man I easily recognized as Luke's father sat with a newspaper on his lap.
VERB: no cont, V n, V n as n
2.
If someone says that they recognize something, they acknowledge that it exists or that it is true.
I recognize my own shortcomings...
Well, of course I recognize that evil exists.
= acknowledge
VERB: no cont, V n, V that
3.
If people or organizations recognize something as valid, they officially accept it or approve of it.
Most doctors appear to recognize homeopathy as a legitimate form of medicine...
France is on the point of recognizing the independence of the Baltic States.
= accept
VERB: V n as n, V n, also V that
4.
When people recognize the work that someone has done, they show their appreciation of it, often by giving that person an award of some kind.
The RAF recognized him as an outstandingly able engineer...
Nichols was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 1949.
VERB: V n as n, V n