B2noun1K

Mission

UK /["/ˈmɪʃn/"]/US /["/ˈmɪʃn/"]/

Definition

an important official job that a person or group of people is given to do, especially when they are sent to another country

In simple words: A specific task or purpose that someone is trying to achieve.

Examples

  • The team's mission was to develop a new strategy for the upcoming project.
  • Her life's mission is to help underprivileged children achieve their dreams.
  • The astronauts completed their mission successfully and returned to Earth.
  • In the game, you have to complete the mission without losing any resources.
  • The organization was founded with a mission to promote environmental sustainability.
  • During the church service, the pastor spoke about the importance of their missionary work.
  • The spy's mission required him to gather intelligence without being detected.
  • The company's mission statement focuses on innovation and customer satisfaction.
  • He took a mission trip to assist with building schools in rural areas.
  • The charity's mission is to eradicate poverty in the community.

Usage notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it often refers to organizational goals, while in informal settings, it can refer to personal goals or tasks.

Grammar pattern

mission + object

Memory hint

Sounds like 'mission impossible' — think of a secret agent going on a special mission.

Collocations

  • joint
  • covert
  • secret
  • carry out
  • conduct
  • execute
  • end in failure
  • fail
  • be a success
  • objective
  • accomplishment
  • on a/​the mission
  • mission impossible
  • diplomatic
  • military
  • trade
  • establish
  • set up
  • send
  • mission to
  • Christian
  • educational
  • establish
  • found
  • run
  • work
  • hospital
  • school
  • Christian
  • educational
  • establish
  • found
  • run
  • work
  • hospital
  • school
  • main
  • primary
  • stated
  • have
  • pursue
  • fulfil/​fulfill
  • statement
  • a man with a mission
  • a woman with a mission
  • a sense of mission
  • joint
  • covert
  • secret
  • carry out
  • conduct
  • execute
  • end in failure
  • fail
  • be a success
  • objective
  • accomplishment
  • on a/​the mission
  • mission impossible
  • shuttle
  • space
  • spacecraft
  • go on
  • make
  • abort
  • control
  • on a/​the mission
  • mission to

Synonyms

  • vocation

Antonyms

  • inactivity
  • idleness
  • lethargy

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'emission', which refers to the release of something, especially gas.
  • Using 'mission' when a different term like 'objective' would be more appropriate.
  • Not distinguishing between 'mission' and 'task'; a mission can involve multiple tasks.