appreciation: Meaning and Definition of

ap•pre•ci•a•tion

Pronunciation: (u-prē"shē-ā'shun), [key]
— n.
  1. gratitude; thankful recognition: They showed their appreciation by giving him a gold watch.
  2. the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value.
  3. clear perception or recognition, esp. of aesthetic quality: a course in art appreciation.
  4. an increase or rise in the value of property, goods, etc.
  5. critical notice; evaluation; opinion, as of a situation, person, etc.
  6. a critique or written evaluation, esp. when favorable.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: