- recognize
- rec|og|nize [ `rekəg,naız ] verb transitive not usually progressive ***1. ) to know who the person is, or what the thing is that you are seeing, hearing, etc. because you have seen, heard, etc. them before:I hardly recognized you with a beard!I recognized the house from your description.Asthma sufferers soon learn to recognize the symptoms of an attack.I thought I recognized her voice!2. ) to accept that something is true or important:Most people who fish recognize the need to preserve fish stocks.The importance of Herschel's contribution is generally recognized.recognize (that): We recognize that there are some problems with the current system.a ) to accept the authority or status of someone or something:This credit card is recognized all over the world.recognize someone/something as something: He is recognized as the new champion.b ) to officially agree that a country or organization exists:Many countries refused to recognize Macedonia.3. ) to give praise or approval to someone:Joyce's novel has since been recognized as one of the greatest of the century.Today, her achievement was recognized with a civic reception.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.