Commendation: meaning, definitions and examples

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commendation

[ˌkɒmənˈdeɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

praise for good work

A commendation is a formal award that recognizes and praises someone's achievements or actions. It is usually given as a sign of approval or admiration for a job well done.

Synonyms

accolade, approval, praise, recognition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
commendation	Used mainly in formal contexts to express official praise or recognition for an achievement. Often used in military or professional settings. The soldier received a commendation for his bravery during the mission. She earned a commendation from the board for her outstanding performance.
praise	A general term used in both formal and informal contexts to express admiration or approval of someone's actions or qualities. The teacher praised the students for their hard work. He received much praise for his charity work.
accolade	Employed primarily in artistic or entertainment contexts to describe high praise or an award. It has a prestigious connotation. The director received an accolade for his groundbreaking film. Winning the Pulitzer Prize is one of the highest accolades in journalism.
approval	Used in everyday contexts to show consent or favorable judgment on something. Can be used in positive and neutral situations. The project cannot proceed without the manager's approval. She smiled in approval of his decision.
recognition	Mostly used in formal contexts to indicate acknowledgment or appreciation for someone's effort or achievement. Often used in workplace settings. She spent years working hard with little recognition. The company gave him an award in recognition of his contributions.

Examples of usage

He received a commendation for his outstanding performance at work.
The military officer was honored with a commendation for his bravery in the line of duty.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

official recognition or approval

In a formal sense, a commendation can also refer to an official statement of approval or recognition given by a higher authority. It is often used in the context of government or military commendations.

Synonyms

accolade, approval, endorsement, recognition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
commendation	Formal situations where someone is officially praised for their achievements. The soldier received a commendation for his bravery in battle The police officer was given a commendation for her outstanding service
approval	General situations where someone expresses that they think something is good or acceptable. The project got approval from the board She sought her parents' approval for her decision
recognition	Situations where someone or something is acknowledged for having achieved something significant or worthy of respect. She received recognition for her contributions to science The company earned recognition for its innovative technology
endorsement	Commercial or political settings where someone publicly supports something or someone, often for promotional purposes. The celebrity’s endorsement boosted the product’s sales The politician received an endorsement from a major newspaper
accolade	Situations where someone is given an award or honor as a sign of praise or approval, often in the arts or entertainment industry. The movie won numerous accolades at the film festival The artist received accolades for her groundbreaking work

Examples of usage

The President issued a commendation to the soldiers for their service to the country.
The company received a commendation from the regulatory body for its adherence to safety standards.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'commendare', which means to 'entrust' or 'recommend'.
Initially used in the context of giving someone responsibility or recognition in the church.
Its formal use can be traced back to the 14th century, illustrating growing emphasis on recognition in society.

Culture

In some cultures, commendation is a key part of rituals and ceremonies that celebrate achievements.
Award shows like the Oscars and the Grammys provide commendations to honor talent in the entertainment industry.
Community commendations can strengthen social bonds by publicly acknowledging hard work and success.

Psychology

Receiving commendation can boost an individual's self-esteem and motivation to perform well.
Praise can stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, making recipients feel happier and more accomplished.
Commendation practices in workplaces can lead to higher employee satisfaction and team cohesion.

Literature

Commendations often feature in poetry and prose as a form of recognition for characters' noble actions.
Many autobiographies highlight the commendations received by authors to showcase their achievements.
In classical literature, commendation was often linked to a person's honor and reputation in society.

Education

Teachers commonly use commendations to encourage students and reinforce positive behavior in classrooms.
Ceremonies like graduation often involve commendations to recognize student achievements publicly.
Commendation letters are important in applications for scholarships and jobs, reflecting skills and character.

Translations

Translations of the word "commendation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 elogio

🇮🇳 प्रशंसा

🇩🇪 Lob

🇮🇩 pujian

🇺🇦 похвала

🇵🇱 pochwała

🇯🇵 称賛 (しょうさん)

🇫🇷 éloge

🇪🇸 elogio

🇹🇷 övgü

🇰🇷 칭찬 (칭찬)

🇸🇦 مديح

🇨🇿 pochvala

🇸🇰 pochvala

🇨🇳 赞扬 (zànyáng)

🇸🇮 pohvala

🇮🇸 lof

🇰🇿 мадақтау

🇬🇪 ქება

🇦🇿 tərif

🇲🇽 elogio

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,308, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14305 edict
14306 gout
14307 repel
14308 commendation
14309 permissive
14310 restlessness
14311 degrade
...