noun
cognizance
KAHG-nih-zuns/ˈkɑːɡnɪzəns/
Awareness or knowledge of something
The hiker takes cognizance of a crack in the bridge before crossing.
Etymology
The ‘know’ root connects recognition with knowledge. English first used cognizance for an identifying mark—something by which a person or thing was known—before it came to mean awareness or notice.
In context
it is now obvious from the reasons already given that government would be utterly impracticable if it were to take cognizance of vices and punish them as crimes
More examples
- The committee takes cognizance of residents' concerns before approving changes.
- Her remarks reveal a growing cognizance of the problem.
- We plan the event in full cognizance of the costs.
Forms
cognizant adjective — Aware of or informed about something.
Similar words
- awareness
- The ordinary, less formal word for knowing something exists.
- knowledge
- Often implies fuller information or understanding, not merely awareness.
- recognition
- Emphasizes identifying something or acknowledging its existence or importance.