cognizance

UK: /ˈkɒgnɪzəns/ US: /ˈkɑgnəzəns/ ,(kog′nə zəns, kon′ə-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cog•ni•zance /ˈkɑgnəzəns/   n. [uncountable]

1. awareness or realization;
   notice:
   to take cognizance of a slighting remark.
2. the range or scope of a person's knowledge, etc.:
   perceptions beyond my cognizance.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cog•ni•zance  (kog′nə zəns, kon′ə-), n. 

1. awareness, realization, or knowledge;
   notice;
   perception:
   The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.
2. Law
   • judicial notice as taken by a court in dealing with a cause.
   • the right of taking jurisdiction, as possessed by a court.
   • acknowledgment;
     admission, as a plea admitting the fact alleged in the declaration.
3. the range or scope of knowledge, observation, etc.:
   Such understanding is beyond his cognizance.
4. Heraldry a device by which a person or a person's servants or property can be recognized;
   badge.

• Latin) from the 16th century
• Latin cognōscere; see cognition) + -ance -ance; forms with -g- (
• Middle French con(o)is(s)ance, equivalent. to conois(tre) to know (
• Middle English conisa(u)nce 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 1. note, heed, attention, regard, scrutiny.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cognizance, cognisance / ˈkɒɡnɪzəns ˈkɒnɪ-/ noun

1. knowledge; acknowledgment
2. take cognizance of ⇒ to take notice of; acknowledge, esp officially
3. the range or scope of knowledge or perception
4. the right of a court to hear and determine a cause or matter
5. a distinguishing badge or bearing

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French conoissance, from conoistre to know, from Latin cognōscere to learn; see cognition