commendation

noun

com·​men·​da·​tion ˌkä-mən-ˈdā-shən 

-ˌmen-

1

a

: an act of commending

b

: something (such as a formal citation) that commends

2

archaic : compliment

Synonyms

• acknowledgment
• acknowledgement
• citation
• mention

Examples of commendation in a Sentence

Their hard work deserves commendation.

The President issued a commendation praising the volunteers for their exceptional work during the relief effort.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nominations include a brief description of why that student deserves the commendation. —Shari Rudavsky, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Feb. 2024

Prizes and commendations were awarded in 13 categories including Wide Angle, Macro, Behavior, Portrait, Black & White, Compact, and Up & Coming among others. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

In total, 130 photographs were distinguished with awards or commendations. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024

Prizes and commendations were handed out in categories including Wide Angle, Macro, Wrecks, Behavior, Portrait, Black & White, Compact, Up & Coming, and more. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024

The latter commendation suggests that the film should be scrutinized more for its real artistry than for its babysitting potential. —Armond White, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024

Around 1980, my great-grandfather posthumously received a presidential commendation, and in 1990, the Order of Merit for National Foundation. —Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023

School district anniversary Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein and other local political representatives on Feb. 1 helped celebrate the Sunnyvale School District’s 125th anniversary with a commendation, proclamation, citation and certificate. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024

But Goetzman and the team have practically earned a military commendation for producing these stories at this point. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

commendation

noun

com·​men·​da·​tion ˌkäm-ən-ˈdā-shən 

-ˌen-

1

: an act of commending

2

: something that commends

was awarded a commendation for bravery

commendatory

kə-ˈmen-də-ˌtōr-ē

-ˌtȯr-

adjective