Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Recommendation \Rec`om*men*da"tion\ (r?k`?m*m?n*d?"sh?n), n.
   [Cf. F. recommandation.]
   1. The act of recommending.

   2. That which recommends, or commends to favor; anything
      procuring, or tending to procure, a favorable reception,
      or to secure acceptance and adoption; as, he brought
      excellent recommendations.

   3. The state of being recommended; esteem. [R.]

            The burying of the dead . . . hath always been had
            in an extraordinary recommendation amongst the
            ancient.                              --Sir T.
                                                  North.

Source : WordNet®

recommendation
     n 1: something (as a course of action) that is recommeended as
          advisable
     2: something that recommends (or expresses commendation) of a
        person or thing as worthy or desirable [syn: {testimonial},
         {good word}]
     3: any quality or characteristic that gains a person a
        favorable reception or acceptance or admission; "her
        pleasant personality is already a recommendation"; "his
        wealth was not a passport into the exclusive circles of
        society" [syn: {passport}]