Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Accreditation has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards)
"a commission is responsible for the accreditation of medical schools"
The giving of credentials.
"The university's accreditation was revoked after it failed to properly verify the academic credentials of its faculty members."
In plain English: Accreditation is an official approval that says a school or program meets high standards and is trustworthy.
"The university lost its accreditation after failing to meet state standards for graduation rates."
The word accreditation first appeared in English in 1806. It is formed by adding the suffix -ation to the root accredit.