From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishacknowledgeac‧knowl‧edge /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ $ -ˈnɑː-/ ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb [transitive] 1 admit to admit or accept that something is true or that a situation exists The family acknowledge the need for change.acknowledge that He acknowledges that when he’s tired he gets bad-tempered. Claire acknowledged that she was guilty. The government must acknowledge what is happening and do something about it. ‘Maybe you are right, ’ she acknowledged. This is a fact that most smokers readily acknowledge.► see thesaurus at admitGrammarIn more formal English, you say it is acknowledged that when saying what people generally agree is true: It is acknowledged that these letters are genuine.2 recognize something’s importanceTHINK/HAVE THE OPINION THAT if people acknowledge something, they recognize how good or important it is The Brazilian coach acknowledged the talent of his players.be acknowledged as something The film festival is acknowledged as an event of international importance.be widely/generally acknowledged to be something The mill produces what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool in the world.3 accept somebody’s authorityACCEPTSCL to accept that someone or something has authority over people Both defendants refused to acknowledge the authority of the court.acknowledge somebody as something Many of the poor acknowledged him as their spiritual leader.4 thankTHANK to publicly announce that you are grateful for the help that someone has given you We wish to acknowledge the support of the university.5 show you notice somebodyIGNORE to show someone that you have noticed them or heard what they have said Tom acknowledged her presence by a brief glance.6 say you have received somethingANSWER/REPLY to let someone know that you have received something from them I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
acknowledge• The anniversary report is acknowledged as a tremendous achievement.• In 1932 De Valera was elected as Prime Minister, and was acknowledged as leader of the Irish people.• Callahan waved, acknowledging his fans.• Several Arab countries have not yet acknowledged Israel.• He acknowledges it's going to be a tough job, but he's going to try it anyway.• I did a lot of work on that book. It annoys me that the editor never acknowledged it.• We will never reform the justice system until we are prepared to acknowledge its fundamental defects.• The paper never even acknowledged my letter or printed a correction.• Please acknowledge receipt of this document by signing and returning the enclosed form.• Cooke acknowledges receiving gifts that could be seen as bribes.• In a correction that was published June 4,1995, the Globe acknowledged that Ayash did not sign the medication order.• The committee acknowledges that mentally ill people in the community are not receiving the care and treatment they need.• However, some acknowledge that the reforms had to be introduced quickly.• The governor has acknowledged that there have been errors in his financial statements.• I readily acknowledge that this is a very difficult request but I am afraid the timescale has to he met.• The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the Defense Department.• Zaire was forced to acknowledge the authority of the Congolese state.• And, a base spokesman acknowledged the cooler ban did not prohibit knapsacks, soft-sided fabric coolers or wagons.• Policy props up parental wishes and desires, but does it acknowledge the effect on the deaf child?• In his speech he acknowledged the help his parents gave him at the start of his career.• You have to acknowledge the truth of what she says.• I have just sent off a letter acknowledging their message.acknowledge that• In particular, it is acknowledged that a de minimis level for warranties and indemnities will be included.• Quite the contrary, it is acknowledged that carrying the message is all one can do.• But he acknowledged that, for example, education could achieve the same objectives.• It is now generally acknowledged that he was innocent.• He acknowledged that it could prove up to four times more expensive than wind or wave power.• She would accept students at the margins, but she acknowledged that she was engaging in a form of triage.• The company has acknowledged that some incidents of harassment occurred, but denies allegations that it was widely tolerated.• But Tisaby, while acknowledging that such witnesses exist, said it was unclear what they saw.• We acknowledge that there have been dreadful mistakes and inexcusable mistreatment in the past, but we have learned from them.• An industry spokesman acknowledged that toxic chemicals had been released into the river.be widely/generally acknowledged to be something• Another set of therapies which are generally acknowledged to be helpful are the physical ones which are mostly based around massage.• Britain's clinical research is widely acknowledged to be in very bad shape.• Making technical estimates of risk is widely acknowledged to be extremely tricky, with endless scope for disagreement amongst the experts.• There, 50 or so textile mills produce what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool cloth in the world.acknowledge somebody as something• The people acknowledged Mandela as their leader.acknowledge receipt• We would acknowledge receipt of Indictment 86-1246 and waive formal reading.• We do not normally acknowledge receipt of letters for publication.• Liverpool have acknowledged receipt of their letter in which they hold Saunders responsible for dangerous play.• I should be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.• Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.• The drafter can avoid such disputes by appropriate wording: We acknowledge receipt of your order and agree to supply you.• He will acknowledge receipt of your reference within 5 working days.From Longman Business Dictionaryacknowledgeac‧knowl‧edge /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ-ˈnɑː-/ verb [transitive]1to tell someone that you have received something such as a letter they have sent to youWe shall be grateful if you will kindly acknowledge receipt of this letter.2to admit or accept that something is true or existsThe government acknowledged that there had been irregularities at a number of voting centres.→ See Verb tableOrigin acknowledge (1400-1500) ac- (as in accord) + knowledge 