recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s 
-ˈkä-nə-
Examples of recognizance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He is charged with intoxication manslaughter and was released two days later on a personal recognizance bond.
—
Sam Gillette, People.com, 3 June 2025
Retton was released from custody after paying a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, according to court information reviewed by Rolling Stone.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
She was released from jail after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
She was released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, the court records show.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
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Sam Gillette, People.com, 3 June 2025
Retton was released from custody after paying a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, according to court information reviewed by Rolling Stone.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
She was released from jail after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
She was released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $1,500, the court records show.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recognizance
Cite this Entry
“Recognizance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recognizance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s
-ˈkän-ə-
: a recorded legal promise to do something (as to appear in court)
Legal Definition
recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance
ri-ˈkäg-nə-zəns
1
: an obligation entered into on the record before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as the paying of a debt) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture
also
: the sum liable to forfeiture
2
: a simple personal obligation or undertaking (as to appear in court) entered into before a magistrate and having no money penalty attached
released on his own recognizance
Etymology
Anglo-French recognisance, reconisance, literally, recognition, from Old French reconoisance, from reconoistre to recognize, from Latin recognoscere
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