Etymology 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.
A sending or mission (to do or accomplish something).
2
An official charge or authority to do something, often used of military officers.
David received his commission after graduating from West Point.
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]:
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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:
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The thing to be done as agent for another.
I have three commissions for the city.
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A body or group of people, officially tasked with carrying out a particular function.
the European Commission
the Electoral Commission
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the Federal Communications Commission
The company's sexual harassment commission made sure that every employee completed the on-line course.
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:
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A fee charged by an agent or broker for carrying out a transaction.
a reseller's commission
The real-estate broker charged a four percent commission for their knowledge on bidding for commercial properties; for their intellectual perspective on making a formal offer and the strategy to obtain a mutually satisfying deal with the seller in favour of the buyer.
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[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:
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Business, Commerce A bonus in pay awarded to a salesperson for selling a particular, secretly sponsored product, for which the sponsor will reimburse the employer.
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Art, Arts A payment by a fan to an artist, after which the artist will produce a work of art requested by the fan.
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The act of committing (e.g. a crime or error).
the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism
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:
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Two witnesses to the assault, both patrons of the bar at the time of the incident, were also subpoenaed, but they were requested to sign a waiver of immunity, which would allow their prosecution in the event that their testimony indicated their involvement in the commission of a crime.1974 February 2, “Manslaughter Charged in 'Self-Defense' Slaying”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 32, page 3:
Etymology 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.
1
To send or officially charge someone or some group to do something.
James Bond was commissioned with recovering the secret documents.
Stanning, who was commissioned from Sandhurst in 2008 and has served in Afghanistan, is not the first solider^([sic – meaning soldier]) to bail out the organisers at these Games but will be among the most celebrated.2012 August 1, Owen Gibson, London 2012: rowers Glover and Stanning win Team GB's first gold medal, Guardian Unlimited:
2
To place an order for (often a piece of art).
He commissioned a replica of the Mona Lisa for his living room, but the painter gave up after six months.
3
To put (a ship or boat, etc.) into active service.
The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1944, during WWII.
The 1.7 mile-long conveyor system was commissioned in November 2022, and will remove one million lorry movements from the roads around West London.2023 March 8, Chris Howe, “Building the platform for Old Oak Common's platforms”, in RAIL, number 978, page 60:
As from our beds, we doe oft cast our eyes, / Cleane linnen yeelds a shirt before we rise, / Which is a garment shifting in condition; / And in the canting tongue is a commission.