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cognizance

noun

cog·ni·zanceˈkäg-nə-zən(t)s How to pronounce cognizance (audio)

Synonyms ofcognizance next

:a distinguishing mark or emblem (such as a heraldic bearing)

:knowledge,awareness

had nocognizance of the situation

:notice,acknowledgment

takecognizance of their achievement

:jurisdiction,responsibility

Synonyms ofcognizance

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Examples ofcognizance in a Sentence

They seemed to have nocognizance of the crime. takecognizance of what is happening

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage.Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.Send us feedback.

Even, hoping against hope, if there were such an acceptance of the president’s plan, merecognizanceof history and current realities in the Middle East surely leads us to doubts that the peace could hold.—

The Editorial Board,Oc Register, 3 Oct. 2025In 2016, Deloitte coined the six signature traits of inclusive leadership:cognizanceor self-awareness, curiosity, cultural intelligence, commitment, courage, and collaboration.—

Julie Kratz,Forbes.com, 27 July 2025The two Democrats, Needleman of Essex and Steinberg of Westport, are co-chairman of the Legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, which hascognizanceover PURA.—

Edmund H. Mahony,Hartford Courant, 25 July 2025Given his compassionatecognizanceof money management, Dr. Michels and the entire Michels Family Financial crew push to distinguish their offerings to clients.—

Nia Bowers,USA Today, 26 June 2025See All Example Sentences forcognizance

Word History

Etymology

Middle Englishcognisaunce, latinization (aftercognōscere and its derivatives) ofconissaunce, conoisance "knowledge, understanding, distinguishing mark (as on a shield)," borrowed from Anglo-Frenchconoisance, conisance, fromconisant,conoissant "aware, mindful" (from present participle ofconoistre "to know, be aware of," going back to Latincognōscere "to get to know, acquire knowledge of") +-ance-ance — more atcognition

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined atsense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use ofcognizance was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century