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 of commendation

• award
• medal
• acknowledgment
• mention
• citation

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

The television impresario Ed Sullivan is to be honored with the Ahmet Ertegun Award, a commendation for non-performers named after the late Atlantic Records co-founder who started the Rock Hall with Rolling Stone magazine’s Jann Wenner in the mid-1980s. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

The three officers involved in the incident at the diner were honored with life-saving commendations. —Carolyn Gusoff april 6, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026

And he was awarded multiple times for valor, including a bronze star and a Navy commendation medal. —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Gallrein received several commendations while serving, including four Bronze Star Medals and two Presidential Unit Citations. —Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for commendation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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