recognize, recognizing 1. To identify a thing or person as a result of having seen or had some other experience of him, her, or it before: 'If you saw her again, would you recognize her?' 2. To acknowledge someone's achievement; to show appreciation of, or give credit to, another's achievement: 'We hope you recognize their contribution to the succ... Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/519/2