mission

Syllabification: (mis·sion)

Pronunciation: /ˈmiSHən/

Definition of mission

1an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel:a trade mission to Mexico
[treated as singular or plural] a group of people sent on a mission:by then, the mission had journeyed more than 3,500 miles
[in singular] an organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment in a foreign country:the head of the West German mission
an operation carried out by military aircraft:he was shot down on a supply mission
an expedition into space.

2the vocation or calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith:the Christian mission Gandhi’s attitude to mission and conversion
a building or group of buildings used by a Christian mission.

3a strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling:his main mission in life has been to cut unemployment

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting the sending of the Holy Spirit into the world): from Latin missio(n-), from mittere 'send'

Definition of mission in the British & World English dictionary