- recognize
- also -ise BrE, verb
1 (transitive not in progressive) to know who someone is or what something is, because you have seen, heard, experienced, or learned about them in the past: She was humming a tune I didn't recognize. | Saleha came home so thin and weak her own children hardly recognized her. | You shouldn't go yourself. You'll be recognised. | It was malaria, but Dr Lee hadn't recognized the symptoms.2 (T) to officially accept that an organization, government, document etc has legal or official authority: The management recognizes three main trade unions. | British medical qualifications are recognized in Canada. | recognize sth as: The US has not recognized the Cuban government since 1961.3 be recognized as to be thought of as being important or very good by a lot of people: Lawrence's novel was eventually recognized as a work of genius. | recognized expert/authority: a recognized authority on the teaching of English4 (T) to accept and admit, often unwillingly, that something is true: recognize (that): We recognize that this is an unpleasant choice to have to make. | recognize what/how/who etc: Do you think he recognized how foolish he looks?5 (T) to officially and publicly thank someone for something they have done, by giving them a special honour— recognizable adjective — recognizably adverb
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.