/ ˌkɒmenˈdeɪʃn; NAmE ˌkɑːm-/ noun
1.
[ U ] ( formal ) praise; approval
2.
[ C ] commendation (for sth) an award or official statement giving public praise for sb/sth :
a commendation for bravery
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from Latin commendatio(n-) , from commendare commit to the care of, from com- (expressing intensive force) + mandare commit, entrust. Originally (in the plural) the term denoted a form of worship in church ending with a prayer commending the souls of the dead to God.