1. awareness or knowledge of something
Usage: formal
2. the range of what one can know or become aware of
Usage: formal
3. official recognition or acknowledgment
Usage: formal; legal

Examples

• The manager took cognizance of the employee complaints.
• She had no cognizance of the changes happening around her.
• The court took official cognizance of the new evidence.
• His cognizance of the situation was limited by lack of information.
• The committee’s cognizance extends to all financial matters.
• Without proper cognizance of the risks, the project failed.