The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Recommendation \Rec`om*men*da"tion\ (r?k`?m*m?n*d?"sh?n), n.
   [Cf. F. recommandation.]
   1. The act of recommending.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The state of being recommended; esteem. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The burying of the dead . . . hath always been had
            in an extraordinary recommendation amongst the
            ancient.                              --Sir T.
                                                  North.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

recommendation
    n 1: something (as a course of action) that is recommended as
         advisable
    2: something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a
       person or thing as worthy or desirable [syn:
       recommendation, 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:
       recommendation, passport]