Main Entry: ¹com·mis·sion

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmi-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin commission-, commissio act of bringing together, from committere

Date: 14th century

1 a : a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties b : a certificate conferring military rank and authority; also : the rank and authority so conferred
2 : an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts : charge
3 a : authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another b : a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
4 a : a group of persons directed to perform some duty b : a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers c : a city council having legislative and executive functions
5 : an act of committing something <commission of a crime>
6 : a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service; especially : a percentage of the money received from a total paid to the agent responsible for the business
7 : an act of entrusting or giving authority

— in commission or into commission 1 : under the authority of commissioners
2 of a ship : ready for active service
3 : in use or in condition for use

— on commission : with commission serving as partial or full pay for work done

— out of commission 1 : out of active service or use
2 : out of working order