noun

1. a sending out or being sent out with authority to perform a special service; specif.,
   1. the sending out of persons by a religious organization to preach, teach, and convert
   2. the sending out of persons to a foreign government to conduct negotiations
   3. the work done by such persons
2. 1. a group of persons sent by a religious body to spread its religion, esp. in a foreign land
   2. its organization, headquarters, or place of residency
   3. organized missionary work
3. a group of persons sent to a foreign government to conduct negotiations; diplomatic delegation; embassy
4. a group of technicians, specialists, etc. sent to a foreign country
5. the special duty or function for which someone is sent as a messenger or representative; errand
6. the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; calling
7. any charitable, educational, or religious organization for helping persons in need
8. a series of special religious services designed to increase faith or bring about conversion
9. a district without a church of its own, served by a nearby church
10. ☆ Mil. a specific combat operation assigned to an individual or unit; esp., a single combat flight by an airplane or group of airplanes

Etymology: L missio, a sending, sending away < missus, pp. of mittere, to send < IE base *smeit-, to throw > Avestan hamista-, cast down

adjective

1. of a mission or missions
2. ☆ of or in the style of the early Spanish missions in the SW U.S.; specif., designating a type of heavy, dark furniture with simple, square lines

transitive verb

1. to send on a mission
2. to establish a religious mission in (district) or among (a people)