task
tahsk
Task (noun) means a specific piece of work that needs to be done. Example: “Cleaning the garage was today's first task.”
noun
1
A specific piece of work that needs to be done.
"Cleaning the garage was today's first task."
"She crossed each completed task off her list."
"Sorting the post is a simple task that takes a few minutes."
2
(computing) A unit of work or a running instance of a program that a computer executes.
"The background task finished syncing the files."
"Each task in the queue runs separately, so one failure won't stop the others."
"Open the task manager to see which task is using all the memory."
verb
1
To assign someone a piece of work or responsibility.
"She was tasked with organizing the entire conference."
"The committee tasked a small team with drafting the proposal."
"The manager tasked Omar with training the new starters this week."
How to use task
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA job or piece of work to be done, or to formally assign someone to do it.
Common pairings
complete a task
task list
be tasked with
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Word forms
- Plural
- tasks
- Third person singular
- tasks
- Past tense
- tasked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cleaning the garage was today's first _____.
Etymology
From Old Northern French tasque, ultimately from Latin taxō, meaning to assess or charge — making "task" a doublet of "tax."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for task
See all rhymes for task →Frequently asked questions
What does “task” mean?
The word “task” means a specific piece of work that needs to be done. In plain terms, a job or piece of work to be done, or to formally assign someone to do it.
How do you pronounce “task”?
“Task” is pronounced tahsk (/tæsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “task” in a sentence?
Here is “task” used in a sentence: “Cleaning the garage was today's first task.”
What is another word for “task”?
Words with a similar meaning to “task” include chore, job, objective and goal.
What part of speech is “task”?
Depending on how it is used, “task” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “task” come from?
The word “task” comes from Latin. From Old Northern French tasque, ultimately from Latin taxō, meaning to assess or charge — making "task" a doublet of "tax.".
Is “task” a common word?
“Task” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “task” have?
“Task” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a specific piece of work that needs to be done.
What is the difference between a task and a project?
A task is a single, specific piece of work, usually completed in one effort or sitting. A project is larger, made up of many related tasks organised toward a broader outcome. In short, a project is the whole; tasks are the individual steps that move it forward and eventually complete it.
What is the difference between a task and a chore?
Both are pieces of work, but a chore is routine, often unglamorous household or maintenance work done regularly. A task is more neutral and can be one-off or work-related. Every chore is a task, yet not every task is a dull, repetitive chore that you would call a chore.
What are the types of tasks?
Tasks are often grouped as simple or complex, routine or one-off, and by priority — urgent, important, or low-value. In project management they may be dependent, waiting on another to finish, or parallel. Personal to-do lists tend to split them into work, household, and administrative tasks.
What is an example of a task?
Examples include replying to an email, washing the dishes, filing a report, or booking an appointment. A task is any single, defined piece of work with a clear start and finish — small enough to describe in a short phrase and tick off once it is done.
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