honorable mention

/ˈɑnərəbəl ˈmɛnʃən/

Other forms: honorable mentions

When you don't win a race, but you still get an official acknowledgment of how hard you tried, you can call it an honorable mention. It may not be a gold medal, but you should still be proud.

Sometimes a contest or competition is so close that a participant who almost won, or who worked especially hard, needs to be mentioned when prizes are awarded. This is an honorable mention — the person doesn't get an award, but she does receive the special recognition of the judges. Something that's honorable is "worthy of respect."

Definitions of honorable mention

1. noun

   an official recognition of merit
   synonyms: mention

   type of:

   accolade, award, honor, honour, laurels

   a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction