recognition
rec·og·ni·tion / ˌrekigˈnishən/ • n. the action or process of recognizing or being recognized, in particular: ∎ identification of a thing or person from previous encounters or knowledge: she saw him pass by without a sign of recognition methods of production have improved beyond all recognition. ∎ acknowledgment of something's existence, validity, or legality: the unions must receive proper recognition. ∎ appreciation or acclaim for an achievement, service, or ability: his work was slow to gain recognition she received the award in recognition of her courageous human rights work. ∎ (also dip·lo·mat·ic rec·og·ni·tion) formal acknowledgment by a country that another political entity fulfills the conditions of statehood and is eligible to be dealt with as a member of the international community.DERIVATIVES: re·cog·ni·to·ry / riˈkägnəˌtôrē/ adj. ( rare ).
