The meaning of RECOGNIZE is to acknowledge formally. How to use recognize in a sentence. 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 … RECOGNIZE definition: 1. to know someone or something because you have seen or heard him or her or experienced it before…. 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 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 ….