Commission Meaning
/kəˈmɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA sending or mission (to do or accomplish something).
nounAn official charge or authority to do something, often used of military officers.
Sentence Examples
The commission concluded that the answer was no.
This register is out of commission.
The commission is expected to report its findings next month.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The artist received a ____ to paint a portrait for the mayor's office.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The artist received a special ____ to paint the mayor portrait.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English commissioun, from Old French commission, from Latin commissiō (“sending together; commission”), from prefix com- (“with”) + noun of action missiō (“sending”), from perfect passive participle missus (“sent”), from the verb mittō (“to send”) + noun of action suffix -iō.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Let him see our commission."
— c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:
"This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the Body of the Man-Mountain, who uſed us with great Civility, and due Reſpect to your Majeſty's Commiſſion."
— 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Emperor of Lilliput, Attended by Several of the Nobility, Come to See the Author in His Confinement. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 43:
"A commission was at once appointed to examine into the matter."
— 1855–1858, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, →OCLC:
"[T]he scandal was the pretty common one of a corrupt agreement between hotel proprietors and a salesman who took and gave secret commissions, so that his business had a monopoly of all the drink sold in the place."
— 1935, G. K. Chesterton, The Scandal of Father Brown:
"Every commission of sin introduces into the soul a certain degree of hardness."
— 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The artist received a ____ to paint a portrait for the mayor's office.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The artist received a special ____ to paint the mayor portrait.