re·cog·ni·zance 
/rɪˈkɑ:gnəzəns/ noun
/rɪˈkɑ:gnəzəns/ noun [noncount] US, law : a legal promise made by someone before a court of law that must be kept to avoid being punished
▪ He was released on his own recognizance. [=he promised to do what the court wanted him to do and the court let him go]
▪ He was released on his own recognizance. [=he promised to do what the court wanted him to do and the court let him go]
