recognizance
noun
recognizance is spelled R-E-C-O-G-N-I-Z-A-N-C-E: 12 letters and 4 syllables. It appears about once in every 5 million words in written English, the 67,454th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, recognizance means “A form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of recognizance is recognizances.
How many letters and syllables are in recognizance?
| Letters | 12: R-E-C-O-G-N-I-Z-A-N-C-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 4 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 5 million words; the 67,454th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is recognizance?
Recognizance appears about once in every 5 million words in written English, the 67,454th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce recognizance?
Recognizance has 4 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Forms of recognizance
- recognizances plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does recognizance mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court.
The defendant was released on his own recognizance.
- 2
A token; a symbol; a pledge.
- 3
An acknowledgment of a person or thing; an avowal; a profession; a recognition.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
How do you abbreviate recognizance?
Wiktionary records one abbreviation of recognizance: recog.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Recognizance in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
In the sense a promise to the court:
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| Spanish | fianza, promesa legal, caución juratoria, obligación contraída |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does recognizance come from?
From Middle English reconisaunce, from Old French reconissance. Doublet of reconnaissance.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).