commendation
Americannoun
-
the act of commending; recommendation; praise.
commendation for a job well done.
- Synonyms:
- applause, approbation, approval
- Antonyms:
- condemnation
-
something that commends, as a formal recommendation or an official citation or award.
a commendation for bravery.
- Antonyms:
- condemnation
-
Feudal Law. the placing of oneself or one's land under the protection of a lord so as to become his vassal.
-
Archaic. commendations, a complimentary greeting or message.
noun
-
the act or an instance of commending; praise
-
an award
Other Word Forms
- self-commendation noun
- subcommendation noun
- supercommendation noun
Etymology
Origin of commendation
1175–1225; Middle English commendacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin commendātiōn- (stem of commendātiō ) a commending to God. See commend, -ation
Explanation
If you got a commendation for your brave deeds during the earthquake, then congratulations! A commendation is an award praising someone’s actions. A commendation can be an official award for notable action, often given out by a government or other group. A police officer might receive a special commendation for being particularly brave. This kind of commendation is often awarded at a public ceremony. You can also use commendation more broadly to mean "praise," even if it's not official. It'd be nice to tell your teacher she deserves commendation for the good-natured way she has handled your rowdy class all year.
Vocabulary lists containing commendation
Richard Nixon's "Checkers" Speech (1952)
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50 Words from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice"
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Twelfth Night
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Judge Levett issued the investigating the team a formal commendation for its work on the case.
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026
The jurists are hardly due a commendation, since their previous ruling on the question was reversed 9-0 by the Supreme Court this summer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025
It will end with a final commendation - a concluding prayer where the pontiff will be formally entrusted to God.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
A special commendation goes to Saddleback, which went 0-10 last season, switched leagues, switched coaches and went 6-4 and won the Zeta League title under Rob Thompson.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024
Officer David Delinko had stopped on his way home from the police station, where he’d received another commendation from the chief—this time for aiding in the recapture of Dana Matherson.
From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
