rescue mission

noun

plural rescue missions

1

: a city religious mission (see mission entry 1 sense 4a) providing social and spiritual assistance to the poor and needy

The nonprofit, Christian-based rescue mission has provided a variety of social services to the poor and homeless over its 55-year history.

—Janet Lavelle

also : the premises of a rescue mission

I used to go quite often to Charleston, West Virginia to speak in the old rescue mission …

—Lee Roberson

2

: an undertaking to rescue someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation

They kept him alive that way for more than twenty-four hours, waiting for a helicopter rescue mission that came too late.

—Jamie James

After a 12-hour rescue mission, navy personnel were able to tow the animal safely to land.

—Brigit Katz

Examples of rescue mission in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Moro has flown rescue missions in Nepal during the spring mountaineering season since 2013. —Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025

Later, Joel lies to Ellie, who was unconscious during his rescue mission, by saying raiders attacked the hospital. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Musk later claimed SpaceX offered to fly up a specific rescue mission, but that was turned down by the Biden administration for political reasons. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025

Coyote with Head Stuck in Bucket Rescued from Flooded Field in San Diego Bowman added that the agency is planning more attempts to help the animal but isn't rushing into any rescue missions. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rescue mission

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition