1. [verb] (transitive) To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god.
2. [verb] To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
3. [verb] To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor.
4. [verb] To notify receipt, as of a letter.
5. [verb] To own as genuine or valid; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.
6. [verb] Declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of; 'He admitted his errors'; 'She acknowledged that she might have forgotten'.
7. [verb] Report the receipt of; 'The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper'.
8. [verb] 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'.
9. [verb] Express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; 'We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us'.
10. [verb] Accept as legally binding and valid; 'acknowledge the deed'.
11. [verb] 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'.
