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mission

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mission
mission S3 W2 /ˈmɪʃən/ 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