Mission

ˈmɪʃən

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A task or purpose that someone or something is sent to do or achieve.

ˈmɪʃən

nounneutralBeginner
General

A specific task or duty that a person or group is sent to perform.

The team's mission was to rescue the hostages.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're a super cool spy! Your mission is to get the secret documents from the bad guys. That's your specific job.

👶 For kids: It's a special job or task that someone has to do.

More Examples

2

The primary mission of the school is to educate children.

3

The astronauts successfully completed their space mission.

How It's Used

Military

"The soldiers were assigned a reconnaissance mission."

Business

"The company's mission is to provide sustainable energy solutions."

Space Exploration

"NASA launched a new mission to Mars."

2

An organization or effort focused on helping others, often involving charitable or religious work.

ˈmɪʃən

nounpositivemedium
General

A religious or charitable undertaking or organization.

The church supports several international missions.

💡 Simply: Like a group of helpful friends trying to make the world a better place, like providing food to hungry children. That's a mission!

👶 For kids: A group that helps other people.

More Examples

2

The organization's mission is to improve access to clean water.

3

The medical mission provided free healthcare to underserved communities.

How It's Used

Religious

"They donated money to the missionary mission in Africa."

Social Work

"The charity's mission is to provide food and shelter to the homeless."

Tip:Think of missionaries traveling to faraway lands to spread their beliefs or help others.
3

To assign a specific task or duty to someone or something.

ˈmɪʃən

verbneutralAdvanced
General

To send someone on a specific task or assignment.

The president missioned the ambassador to negotiate a peace treaty.

💡 Simply: It's like telling someone, 'Hey, you've got a job to do!' For example, the boss 'missioned' Sarah to work on a new presentation.

👶 For kids: To tell someone to do something.

More Examples

2

The project manager missioned the team to meet the deadline.

3

The school missioned its teachers to implement the new curriculum.

How It's Used

Military

"The general missioned the troops to secure the border."

Business

"The company missioned the sales team to increase market share."

Tip:Think of a boss missioning an employee to complete a report.

Idioms & expressions

on a mission

Focused and determined to achieve a goal.

"She was on a mission to finish her book before the end of the month."

From Latin *missio* ('a sending, dispatching'), from the verb *mittere* ('to send'). The word's development reflects the act of being sent on a journey or task.

The word 'mission' has been used since the 16th century, originally referring to a religious undertaking. Its meaning gradually expanded to include any important assignment.

Memory tip

Think of a secret agent on a mission. They have a specific task to complete.

misionmishonmisson

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written