1. Praise for someone's ability to achieve or accomplish something: Little Susi was very courageous as she rode on her tricycle for the first time without falling or injuring herself and so she received a lot of commendations from her parents.
2: A prize awarded to someone in recognition for being courageous or doing something in a superior way: Linda practiced her violin so often that she received commendations at the recital for being the most improved player in the group of musicians!