acknowledgement

An acknowledgement, or acknowledgment, is the act of recognizing the existence, validity, or truth of something, or expressing thanks for a contribution. In scholarly and literary contexts, it commonly refers to a section at the end or beginning of a work where authors thank individuals, institutions, and funders who assisted the project. The wording may cover intellectual guidance, financial support, technical help, or permissions.

Etymology and spelling vary by region. The word derives from the verb acknowledge, which comes from Old English oncnawan (“to know, recognize”). The noun has developed with two common spellings: acknowledgement (British English and many Commonwealth varieties) and acknowledgment (American English). In published works, the chosen variant often aligns with the author’s locale or the publication’s house style.

Applications and scope. In academic publishing, the acknowledgement section is customary and sometimes required by funders or institutions to acknowledge support and affiliations. In books and theses, authors use acknowledgements to honor mentors, colleagues, editors, and reviewers. In corporate or project contexts, formal acknowledgements can note contributions or partnerships. A further sense is an acknowledgement of receipt, a brief statement confirming that a document or item has been received. In technology and communications, an acknowledgement (or acknowledgment) is a signal indicating that a message has been received or a operation completed.

See also gratitude, recognition, and funding statements. Overall, the term encompasses recognition, gratitude, and formal notices of receipt or approval, varying in emphasis across different disciplines and regions.