Mission

Pronunciation

• enPR: mÄ­'shÉ™n, IPA: /ˈmɪʃən/
• Rhymes: -ɪʃən

Origin

From French mission ("a sending, a mission"), Old French mission ("expense"), from Latin missiō ("a sending, sending away, dispatching, discharging, release, remission, cessation"), from mittō ("to send").

Full definition of mission

Noun

1. (countable) A set of tasks that fulfills a purpose or duty; an assignment set by an employer.
2. (uncountable) Religious evangelism.
3. (uncountable) (the missions) collective term for third world charities, particularly those which preach as well as provide aid.
4. (countable) (Catholic tradition) an infrequent gathering of religious believers in a parish, usually part of a larger regional event with a central theme.
5. A number of people appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy.
• Francis BaconIn these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house.
6. (obsolete) dismissal; discharge from service
7. A settlement or building serving as a base for missionary work.
   Many cities across the Americas grew from Spanish missions.

Derived terms

Related terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To send to a mission.