n.
- an important assignment, typically involving travel abroad.
▸
[treated as sing. or pl.]
a group of people sent on a mission.
▸an organization or institution involved in a long-term assignment abroad.
▸a military or scientific expedition.
- the vocation of a religious organization to spread its faith.
▸a building or group of buildings used by a Christian mission.
- a strongly felt aim or calling.
Etymology
C16 (denoting the sending of the Holy Spirit into the world): from L. missio(n-), from mittere ‘send’.