mission
MIHSH-uhn
Mission (noun) means a specific task or purpose someone is sent to carry out. Example: “Their mission was to deliver medicine to the remote village before nightfall.”
noun
1
A specific task or purpose someone is sent to carry out.
"Their mission was to deliver medicine to the remote village before nightfall."
"The astronauts completed their mission successfully."
"His mission was to negotiate a ceasefire."
2
A person's important overall purpose or calling.
"He felt that teaching young people to read was his real mission."
"Her mission, she said, was to make music available to everyone."
"Her mission in life is to improve access to clean water."
3
A group of people sent to do religious or charitable work, or the building where they are based.
"Volunteers from the mission handed out blankets and hot soup in winter."
"She spent two years working at a mission school in the hills."
"The mission provided food and shelter to the local community."
How to use mission
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA task, purpose, or group sent out to accomplish something specific.
Common pairings
on a mission
mission statement
mission accomplished
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Word forms
- Plural
- missions
- Third person singular
- missions
- Past tense
- missioned
Fill the gap
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Their _____ was to deliver medicine to the remote village before nightfall.
Etymology
From Latin missio, "a sending," from mittere, "to send."
Synonyms
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task
assignment
purpose
objective
undertaking
errand
commission
charge
delegation
delegacy
deputation
missionary post
Related words
Rhymes for mission
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for mission →
Frequently asked questions
What does “mission” mean?
The word “mission” means a specific task or purpose someone is sent to carry out. In plain terms, a task, purpose, or group sent out to accomplish something specific.
How do you pronounce “mission”?
“Mission” is pronounced MIHSH-uhn (/ˈmɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “mission” in a sentence?
Here is “mission” used in a sentence: “The astronauts completed their mission successfully.”
What part of speech is “mission”?
“Mission” is a noun.
Where does the word “mission” come from?
The word “mission” comes from Latin. From Latin missio, "a sending," from mittere, "to send.".
Is “mission” a common word?
“Mission” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mission” have?
“Mission” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a specific task or purpose someone is sent to carry out.
What is the difference between a mission and a vision?
A mission states an organization's core purpose — what it does, for whom, right now. A vision describes the future it hopes to create, its long-term aspiration. In short, the mission is the present task and reason for existing, while the vision is the destination it is working toward.
What is the difference between a mission and a goal?
A mission is the overarching purpose behind what someone does, while a goal is a specific, measurable target that helps fulfil it. You might set many goals along the way, but they all serve the single guiding mission. The mission gives direction; the goals mark progress toward it.
What is a mission statement?
A mission statement is a short, written declaration of an organization's core purpose and focus. It explains what the group does, who it serves, and why it exists, giving employees and customers a clear sense of direction and shared intent in a sentence or two.
What is an example of a mission?
Astronauts sent to repair a satellite are on a mission, and an aid worker sent to deliver supplies abroad is too. In business, a company's mission might be "to make healthy food affordable for everyone." Each is a defined task or purpose that someone is sent to carry out.
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