WordGarden.iorecognizance
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /rɪˈkɑnəzəns/
Meanings
Noun
a formal court obligation or release based on a promise to appear or meet a legal condition
Beyond the definition
"Recognizance" is mostly a legal word. It means a formal promise made to a court, usually to appear when required or to keep certain conditions. Think of it as a promise backed by money: if the person breaks the promise, they may have to pay. You will most often see it in the phrase "released on one's own recognizance," which means someone is allowed to stay out of jail without paying bail because they promise to return to court.
"Recognizance" is a formal legal word for a promise made before a court. In this promise, a person agrees to do something required by law, most often to appear in court when told to do so, and may also agree to follow certain conditions. The promise is backed by a financial penalty, so if the person fails to do what was promised, a set amount of money can be owed. In that sense, it is a legal pledge with consequences.
For example, "The defendant was released on his own recognizance" means he was allowed to remain free without paying bail because he promised to come back to court. Another example is "She entered into a recognizance to keep the peace," meaning she made a formal court-backed promise to follow that condition.
Historically, the word could also mean acknowledgment or recognition in a broader sense, but that use is now rare and not what most learners need first. In modern English, the legal meaning is by far the most important one.
The word comes from Old French and is related to the idea of acknowledgment, but in current use it belongs mainly to law. So when you see "recognizance," think of a court promise, a legal obligation, or the common phrase about being released without bail after giving that promise.
Examples
- 1
Court release
The judge released him on his own recognizance and told him to come back the next month.
- Phraseon your own recognizance
released without paying bail, based on your promise to return to court
- 2
Minor charge
For a minor charge, defendants are sometimes released on recognizance instead of being kept in jail.
- 3
Court promise
By signing the recognizance, she agreed to appear in court and avoid contacting the witness.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- recognizancenoun