recognition

Knowing who someone is or what something is because you have seen or heard them before.

• Her face showed sudden recognition.
• The house has changed beyond recognition.
• The phone uses facial recognition to unlock the screen.

Similar words: identification

Common phrases: facial recognition, instant recognition, beyond recognition

Public praise or attention given to someone because of their achievements or good work.

• Her work deserves recognition.
• The young artist gained international recognition.
• He received recognition for helping families after the flood.

How to use it: recognition for something (She received recognition for her work with children.); in recognition of something (He received an award in recognition of his service.)

Similar words: praise, credit, honor

Common phrases: receive recognition, gain recognition, recognition for something, public recognition

Acceptance that something is true, real, valid, or deserves to be taken seriously.

• The certificate received official recognition.
• There is growing recognition of the need for change.
• They are fighting for legal recognition of their relationship.

How to use it: recognition of something (The agreement marks recognition of their rights.)

Similar words: acceptance, acknowledgment

Common phrases: official recognition, recognition of something, legal recognition

Official acceptance by another country that a government has the right to represent its country.

• The new government sought diplomatic recognition.
• Several countries granted recognition to the new administration.
• Formal recognition allowed the two governments to exchange ambassadors.

How to use it: recognition of something (The new government sought recognition of its authority.)

Common phrases: diplomatic recognition, recognition of something, grant recognition