recognizance
noun
re·cog·ni·zance ri-ˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s 
-ˈkä-nə-
1
a
: an obligation of record entered into before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (such as appearance in court) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture
released on his own recognizance
b
: the sum liable to forfeiture upon such an obligation
2
archaic : token, pledge
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Jones was released from the Autauga County Jail the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, on his own recognizance. 
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Jones was released from the Autauga County Jail the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, on his own recognizance. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Brendon was released from the Vigo County Jail on his own recognizance and reached a plea agreement in February, WLFI reported. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Brendon was held at Vigo County Jail and released soon after on his own recognizance. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 He was arrested and released on his own recognizance, according to ISP. Phyllis Cha, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 Jakubonis was arraigned late Thursday and released on his own recognizance. Emma Kinery, Bloomberg.com, 22 July 2022 Rising crime rates have been blamed in part on New York's lax bail laws, in which most defendants accused of most offenses must be released on their own recognizance instead of having bail set. Ronn Blitzer, Fox News, 15 Aug. 2022 Jones was released from the Autauga County Jail the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, on his own recognizance. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Jones was released from the Autauga County Jail the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, on his own recognizance. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Brendon was released from the Vigo County Jail on his own recognizance and reached a plea agreement in February, WLFI reported. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Brendon was held at Vigo County Jail and released soon after on his own recognizance. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 He was arrested and released on his own recognizance, according to ISP. Phyllis Cha, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 Jakubonis was arraigned late Thursday and released on his own recognizance. Emma Kinery, Bloomberg.com, 22 July 2022 Rising crime rates have been blamed in part on New York's lax bail laws, in which most defendants accused of most offenses must be released on their own recognizance instead of having bail set. Ronn Blitzer, Fox News, 15 Aug. 2022 Jones was released from the Autauga County Jail the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, on his own recognizance. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 12 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English recognissance, alteration of reconissaunce, from Anglo-French, from reconoistre to recognize
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing recognizance
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
recognizance
noun
as in bail
law a legal promise made by someone before a court of law that must be kept to avoid being punished After his arraignment, the suspect was released on his own recognizance. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bail
- bond
- pledge
- security
- guaranty
- surety
- oath
- guarantee
- gage
- deposit
- contract
- pawn
- earnest
- warranty
- assurance
- down payment
- handsel
- covenant
- commitment
- word
- compact
- troth