mis ‧ sion S3 W2 /ˈmɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: missio 'act of sending' , from mittere 'to send, throw' ]
1 . AIR FORCE/ARMY ETC an important job that involves travelling somewhere, done by a member of the air force, army etc, or by a spacecraft:
He was sent on over 200 missions before being killed in action.
mission to
the first manned space mission to Mars
US troops taking part in the peacekeeping mission
2 . JOB an important job that someone has been given to do, especially when they are sent to another place:
Her mission was to improve staff morale.
on a mission
scientists on a mission to the rainforest, to study possible medicinal uses of plants
rescue/diplomatic/fact-finding etc mission
a group of US congressmen on a fact-finding mission to Northern Ireland
3 . DUTY something that you feel you must do because it is your duty SYN calling , vocation :
Tom’s mission was to help young people in his local community.
His main mission in life is to earn as much money as possible.
4 . PURPOSE the purpose or the most important aim of an organization:
The mission of International House is to enable students of different cultures to live together and build life-long friendships.
⇨ ↑ mission statement
5 . GOVERNMENT a group of important people who are sent by their government to another country to discuss something or collect information SYN delegation :
a British trade mission to Moscow
6 . RELIGION
a) religious work that involves going to a foreign country in order to teach people about Christianity or help poor people
b) a building where this kind of work is done, or the people who work there
7 . mission accomplished used when you have successfully achieved something that you were trying to do
8 . woman/man with a mission someone who is very determined to achieve what they are trying to do – often used humorously