commission

Definitions

1. noun

   A special job given to someone.

   Examples

   • He was given a special commission to negotiate the treaty.
   • The ambassador carried out his commission with care.
2. noun

   Official authority to do something, such as an army rank.

   Examples

   • David received his commission after finishing military school.
   • The officer showed his commission at the gate.
3. noun

   A task someone does for another person.

   Examples

   • Her commission was to deliver the documents safely.
   • He finished his commission before nightfall.
4. noun

   An official group set up to do a particular job.

   Examples

   • The European Commission made a new rule.
   • The Electoral Commission checked the votes.
   ≈committee
5. noun

   Money paid to a person who sells or arranges a deal.

   Examples

   • The seller earns a commission on every sale.
   • The agent took a ten percent commission.
6. noun

   The act of doing something wrong or illegal.

   Examples

   • The police looked into the commission of the crime.
   • Every commission of a wrong act makes the heart harder.
   ≠omission
7. verb

   To officially give someone a job to do.

   Examples

   • The agent was commissioned to find the secret papers.
   • She was commissioned as an officer in 2008.
8. verb

   To order a work, especially a piece of art.

   Examples

   • The museum commissioned a new sculpture.
   • She commissioned a portrait of her grandmother.
9. verb

   To put a ship or machine into service.

   Examples

   • The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1944.
   • The new conveyor system was commissioned last year.
10. noun

    In old-fashioned use, a plain shirt worn under other clothes.

    Examples

    • She washed the linen commission by hand.
    • He wore a plain commission under his tunic.