mission

¹mis·sion

noun \ˈmi-shən\

Definition of MISSION

1

obsolete : the act or an instance of sending

2

a : a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work b : assignment to or work in a field of missionary enterprise c (1) : a mission establishment (2) : a local church or parish dependent on a larger religious organization for direction or financial support d plural : organized missionary work e : a course of sermons and services given to convert the unchurched or quicken Christian faith

3

: a body of persons sent to perform a service or carry on an activity: as a : a group sent to a foreign country to conduct diplomatic or political negotiations b : a permanent embassy or legation c : a team of specialists or cultural leaders sent to a foreign country

4

a : a specific task with which a person or a group is charged b (1) : a definite military, naval, or aerospace task <a bombing mission> <a space mission> (2) : a flight operation of an aircraft or spacecraft in the performance of a mission <a mission to Mars> c : a preestablished and often self-imposed objective or purpose <statement of the company's mission>

5

: calling, vocation

Examples of MISSION

1. Our mission was to recover the stolen plans.
2. By patient negotiation she succeeded in her mission of averting a strike.
3. a mission to the moon
4. a member of a trade mission

Origin of MISSION

New Latin, Medieval Latin, & Latin; New Latin mission-, missio religious mission, from Medieval Latin, task assigned, from Latin, act of sending, from mittere to send

First Known Use: 1530

Related to MISSION

Synonyms: assignment, brief, business, charge, detail, job, operation, post

Related Words: burden, chore, duty, need, obligation, office, requirement, responsibility; errand, labor, work; commitment, pledge, promise; appointment, commission, designation, nomination; compulsion, constraint, restraint

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with MISSION

fission, titian, Titian