1. (

• admit ,
• acknowledge

) declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of; "He admitted his errors"; "She acknowledged that she might have forgotten" ;

2. (

• acknowledge ,
• receipt

) report the receipt of; "The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper" ;

3. (

• notice ,
• acknowledge ,

) express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with; "He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway"; "She acknowledged his complement with a smile"; "it is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing" ;

4. (

• acknowledge ,
• recognize ,
• recognise

) express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; "We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us" ;

5. (

• acknowledge ,

) accept as legally binding and valid; "acknowledge the deed" ;

6. (

• acknowledge ,
• recognize ,
• recognise ,
• know ,

) accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority; "The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne"; "We do not recognize your gods" ;