commission
kuh-MIH-shuhn
Commission (noun) means a fee paid to someone, usually a percentage, for completing a sale or transaction. Example: “Online sellers pay the platform a small commission on every item they sell.”
noun
1
A fee paid to someone, usually a percentage, for completing a sale or transaction.
"Online sellers pay the platform a small commission on every item they sell."
"Her pay is mostly commission, so quiet months can be difficult."
"The real estate agent earns a commission on every house she sells."
2
An official group given authority to perform a specific task or investigation.
"The commission published its report on school meals after a year of hearings."
"Members of the commission met weekly to review complaints from local residents."
"A special commission was formed to investigate the accident."
verb
1
To formally request and pay for a piece of work, such as art or a report.
"The family commissioned a local artist to paint a portrait of their grandmother."
"The school plans to commission a new song for the end-of-year concert."
"The city commissioned a mural for the new subway station."
How to use commission
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a fee for completing a sale, an official task force, or the act of formally ordering a piece of work.
Common pairings
earn a commission
commission a report
sit on a commission
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Word forms
- Plural
- commissions
- Third person singular
- commissions
- Past tense
- commissioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Online sellers pay the platform a small _____ on every item they sell.
Etymology
From Old French commission, from Latin commissio ("a sending together"), from com- + missio ("sending").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for commission
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for commission →
Frequently asked questions
What does “commission” mean?
The word “commission” means a fee paid to someone, usually a percentage, for completing a sale or transaction. In plain terms, either a fee for completing a sale, an official task force, or the act of formally ordering a piece of work.
How do you pronounce “commission”?
“Commission” is pronounced kuh-MIH-shuhn (/kəˈmɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “commission” in a sentence?
Here is “commission” used in a sentence: “The real estate agent earns a commission on every house she sells.”
What part of speech is “commission”?
Depending on how it is used, “commission” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “commission” come from?
The word “commission” comes from Latin. From Old French commission, from Latin commissio ("a sending together"), from com- + missio ("sending").
Is “commission” a common word?
“Commission” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “commission” have?
“Commission” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fee paid to someone, usually a percentage, for completing a sale or transaction.
What is the difference between commission and salary?
A salary is a fixed amount paid regularly regardless of results, while commission is paid only when you make a sale, usually as a percentage of its value. Salary offers stability; commission rewards performance. Many sales roles combine the two — a modest base salary topped up by commission on what you sell.
How is commission calculated?
Commission is normally worked out as a set percentage of the sale price. If an agent earns 5% and sells something for £2,000, the commission is £100. Rates vary by industry, and some plans use tiers, paying a higher percentage once a seller passes a certain target.
Is commission the same as a bonus?
Not quite. Commission is tied directly to each sale and usually calculated as a percentage, so it scales with exactly how much you sell. A bonus is a separate reward, often a lump sum, given for hitting a broader goal or for strong overall performance. Both are extra pay on top of wages.
What is an example of commission?
A classic example is an estate agent who takes a percentage of a property's sale price, so selling a more expensive home earns them more. Car salespeople, recruiters, and insurance brokers often work the same way, earning a cut of each deal rather than a flat fee for their time.
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