task

play

noun \ˈtask\

Definition of task

1a : a usually assigned piece of work often to be finished within a certain timeb : something hard or unpleasant that has to be donec : duty, function
2 : subjection to adverse criticism : reprimand —used in the expressions to take, call, or bring to task

See task defined for English-language learners

See task defined for kids

Examples of task in a Sentence

Our first task is to review the budget.
one of my tasks in the morning is to make lunches for everyone in the family

Recent Examples of task from the Web

Shirley has represented the Clarendon Hills department since 2005 as a member of the Felony Investigative Assistance Team Special Weapons And Tactics task force and is a tactical commander for that group.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Clarendon Hills police detective promoted to sergeant," 18 July 2017
The two sides also announced a joint task force on cybersecurity, though Trump torpedoed that several days later in a tweet.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "The Other Putin-Trump Meeting," 18 July 2017
Anyone interested in serving on the task force is asked to send an email to opi@birminghamal.gov.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "More than 30 join Birmingham gentrification task force, other members sought," 18 July 2017
Council members are up to the task, but there is virtually no margin for error.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Morning Rush: Westport chaos triggers rare police action; fire erupts after I-435 crash," 18 July 2017
As a result, the student government formed a task force consisting of faculty members to help start a food pantry.

— priscella vega, Glendale News-Press, "To stay nourished, Glendale College students turn to Food for Thought Pantry," 13 July 2017
While several breweries expressed interest, there was little tangible progress until this spring when Bay City took on the task.

— peter rowe, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Today’s forecast: ’72 and Hoppy’ is San Diego’s official beer," 12 July 2017
Bour (20 HRs) has the tallest task of anyone in the first round — literally and figuratively — as he is bracketed against Judge.

— michelle kaufman, miamiherald, "Home Run Derby packs punch with Giancarlo Stanton vs. Aaron Judge," 9 July 2017
The Iraqi and local Kurdish forces who have pushed, block-by-block, into ISIS territory have faced the complex task of discerning who among the desperate locals may be ISIS members or sympathizers.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'task.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of task

Middle English taske, from Middle French dialect (Picardy, Flanders) tasque, from Medieval Latin tasca tax or service imposed by a feudal superior, alteration of *taxa, from taxare to tax

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of task

task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done. task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance. charged with a variety of tasks duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance. the duties of a lifeguard job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance. the job of turning the company around chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm. every child was assigned chores stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service. a 2-month stint as a reporter assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority. a reporter's assignment

task

verb

Definition of task

transitive verb
1 : to assign a task to employees tasked with updating the files
2 : to oppress with great labor tasks his mind with petty details
3 obsolete : to impose a tax on

See task defined for English-language learners

Examples of task in a Sentence

I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year.

Recent Examples of task from the Web

A local firm named Malan Vorster Architecture Interior Design was tasked with creating a modern, cabin-like abode on a tree-rich property.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "This Treehouse in Cape Town, South Africa Is a Sight to Behold," 16 June 2017
DiPietro formed the Fourth of July Committee and tasked it with making Independence Day festivities a reality.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Fundraising, planning continues for Laurel's Fourth of July," 24 May 2017
The NFL tasked him with writing a report about Baltimore Ravens football player Ray Rice’s assault of his then-fiancée in an elevator.

— trevor aaronson, The Intercept, "Better Call Bob! Mueller Is the Lawyer for Politically Toxic Situations," 18 May 2017
The Department of Public Health was tasked with creating rules for manufacturers, such as companies that make edibles and concentrates.

— brooke edwards staggs, The Cannifornian, "State meets with cultivators to kick off public hearings on cannabis regulations," 16 May 2017
The first step is taking a style quiz that tasks you with decorating a blank room using a selection of products and colors.

— anna zambelli, ELLE Decor, "How To Hire A High-End Designer For A Fraction Of The Price," 27 Aug. 2015

First Known Use of task

14th century

TASK Defined for English Language Learners

task

play

noun

Definition of task for English Language Learners

: a piece of work that has been given to someone : a job for someone to do

task

verb

Definition of task for English Language Learners

: to assign (someone) a piece of work : to give (someone) a job to do

TASK Defined for Kids

task

play

noun \ˈtask\

Definition of task for Students

: a piece of work that has been assigned, needs to be done, or presents a challenge On Saturdays Claudia emptied the wastebaskets, a task she despised. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Medical Dictionary

task

play

noun \ˈtask\

Medical Definition of task

: the performance that is required of the subject in a psychological experiment or test and that is usually communicated to a human subject by verbal instructions