mission

mis·sion (mis̸h′ən)

noun

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
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
a group of persons sent to a foreign government to conduct negotiations; diplomatic delegation; embassy
a group of technicians, specialists, etc. sent to a foreign country
the special duty or function for which someone is sent as a messenger or representative; errand
the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; calling
any charitable, educational, or religious organization for helping persons in need
a series of special religious services designed to increase faith or bring about conversion
a district without a church of its own, served by a nearby church
☆ 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

of a mission or missions
☆ 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

Preposition: of

mercy: But that means ' old friend ' Guile and his partner Nash must silently break military code for there mission of mercy.

Converse of object

accomplish: Allow small units to accomplish missions that would normally require a larger force.
peacekeepe: Since 1988 the UN has established four successive peacekeeping missions, but has terminated them all.
assign: However, missions assigned the military run the gamut, peace to war.
fulfill: They must be able to undertake a range of military tasks to fulfill the missions set out below, matched to changing strategic circumstances.
execute: By far the most common way in which we execute this mission is by assisting individuals start their own businesses.

Adjective modifier

fact-finding: In 1960, for example, he was sent on a one-man fact-finding mission by the United Nations into the chaos of the Congo.
diplomatic: We continue to protect visiting overseas dignitaries and diplomatic missions here.
humanitarian: And I'm not buying this as a humanitarian mission, either.
un: Civilian Police Building local civilian security forces is an important aspect of UN missions in which Germany has particular expertise.
secret: The connection with the Empire is the secret mission requested by the Prime Minister for professor Ferguson in his newly adapted balloon.
dangerous: Sharpe is sent to investigate what turns out to be his most dangerous mission to date.

Modifies a noun

statement: To view our mission statement [ click here ] .
accomplishment: They are critical to mission accomplishment regardless of the assigned mission.

Noun used with modifier

reconnaissance: During the reconnaissance mission, the P-3 was hit by fire from Khmer Rouge patrol boats, being lightly damaged.
rescue: The story is about a group of American Marines on a rescue mission.
servicenext: Hard he worked quot it's created phone servicenext mission cautious if you.
bombing: One of these bombing missions was carried out on 26 April 1915 by Second Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse.
combat: ARMY AVIATION Mission Army aviation performs the full spectrum of combat, combat support, and combat service support missions.
suicide: So it is a shock when the two men euphorically accept a suicide bombing mission in Tel Aviv.

Browse dictionary entries near mission