Mission - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Mission : (noun)
1: an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work [syn: missionary post, missionary station, foreign mission]
2: an operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters; "the planes were on a bombing mission" [syn: military mission]
3: a special assignment that is given to a person or group; "a confidential mission to London"; "his charge was deliver a message" [syn: charge, commission]
4: the organized work of a religious missionary [syn: missionary work]
5: a group of representatives or delegates [syn: deputation, commission, delegation, delegacy]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Mission : \Mis"sion\, n. [L. missio, fr. mittere, missum, to send: cf. F. mission. See Missile.] 1. The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; comission.

Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late, Made emulous missions' mongst the gods themselves. --Shak.

2. That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a commission.

How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of being on earth, and mission high. --Milton.

3. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy.

In these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house. --Bacon.

4. An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.

5. An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or more churches.

6. A course of extraordinary sermons and services at a particular place and time for the special purpose of quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of converting unbelievers. --Addis & Arnold.

7. Dismission; discharge from service. [Obs.]

Mission school. (a) A school connected with a mission and conducted by missionaries. (b) A school for the religious instruction of children not having regular church privileges.

Syn: Message; errand; commission; deputation.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Mission : \Mis"sion\, v. t. To send on a mission. [Mostly used in the form of the past participle.] --Keats.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Mission, KS (city, FIPS 47225) Location: 39.02670 N, 94.65670 W Population (1990): 9504 (5239 housing units) Area: 6.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 66205 Mission, OR (CDP, FIPS 49000) Location: 45.66709 N, 118.67181 W Population (1990): 664 (240 housing units) Area: 5.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Mission, SD (city, FIPS 42940) Location: 43.30647 N, 100.66045 W Population (1990): 730 (272 housing units) Area: 1.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 57555 Mission, TX (city, FIPS 48768) Location: 26.21145 N, 98.31689 W Population (1990): 28653 (10658 housing units) Area: 36.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)