1 a : the act of accepting that something is true or important or that it exists [noncount] ▪ The procedure is gaining recognition as the latest advance in organ transplant surgery. ▪ The Olympic Committee gave official/formal recognition to the sport. [singular] ▪ His smile was a recognition that things were not so bad.
b [noncount] : the act of accepting someone or something as having legal or official authority — often + of ▪ the recognition of the territory as a state ▪ They demand legal recognition of their rights. 2 [noncount] : the act of knowing who or what someone or something is because of previous knowledge or experience
▪ She somehow escaped recognition. [=she was not recognized; no one knew who she was when they saw her] ▪ The renovations changed the house beyond (all) recognition. [=changed the house so much that it looked completely different and could not be recognized as the same house] 3 [noncount] : special attention or notice especially by the public for someone's work or actions
▪ Her paintings received recognition from her fellow artists. ▪ All she wanted was some recognition for her work. ▪ He finally received the recognition that he deserved. ▪ They were awarded medals in recognition of their bravery. 4 [noncount] computers : the ability of a computer to understand and process human speech or writing
▪ speech/voice/handwriting recognition