# recognizance

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #67,779

## Definitions
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.
2. A token; a symbol; a pledge.
3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

## Etymology
From Middle English reconisaunce, from Old French reconissance. Doublet of reconnaissance.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/recognizance