recognizance

noun

re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
-ˈkä-nə-
1
a
: an obligation of record entered into before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (such as appearance in court) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture
released on his own recognizance
b
: the sum liable to forfeiture upon such an obligation
2
archaic : token, pledge

Examples of recognizance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anderson noted prosecutors in that case opposed her getting released on her own recognizance, or without a cash bond. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025 He was booked into the Arlington County Adult Detention Center and released on his own recognizance, Yingling said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 After appearing in court Friday, Workman was released on her own recognizance. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2024 Once she is medically cleared she will be booked at Santa Rita Jail on assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, reckless evading of a peace officer, failure to obey a court order and resisting arrest with an enhancement of committing a felony while out on her own recognizance. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recognizance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recognissance, alteration of reconissaunce, from Anglo-French, from reconoistre to recognize

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recognizance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near recognizance

Cite this Entry

“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognizance. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

recognizance

noun
re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
-ˈkän-ə-
: a recorded legal promise to do something (as to appear in court)

Legal Definition

recognizance

noun
re·​cog·​ni·​zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zəns How to pronounce recognizance (audio)
1
: an obligation entered into on the record before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as the paying of a debt) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture
also : the sum liable to forfeiture
2
: a simple personal obligation or undertaking (as to appear in court) entered into before a magistrate and having no money penalty attached
released on his own recognizance
Etymology

Anglo-French recognisance, reconisance, literally, recognition, from Old French reconoisance, from reconoistre to recognize, from Latin recognoscere

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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