Mission: meaning, definitions and examples

A mission often implies an important or high-stakes task, usually with a specific goal or purpose in mind. It is often used in military, space exploration, or humanitarian contexts.

• The astronauts are on a mission to Mars.
• Their mission is to provide aid to the earthquake victims.

Task refers to any piece of work or activity that needs to be completed. It is a general term and can refer to both simple and complex activities.

• Your task is to clean the kitchen.
• He was given the task of organizing the files.

Assignment refers to a specific piece of work or duty given to someone as part of their job or studies. It is commonly used in educational and professional settings.

• The teacher gave us an assignment to complete over the weekend.
• He has an assignment to write a report on market trends.

Objective denotes a target or a goal that one is trying to achieve. It is often used in strategic, business, or planning contexts.

• The main objective of the project is to improve customer satisfaction.
• Our objective is to increase sales by 20%.

A mission usually refers to a specific task or project, often with a detailed plan and a clear endpoint. It's often used in military, corporate, or nonprofit settings.

• The company's mission is to provide affordable healthcare to everyone
• The rescue team was sent on a mission to save the stranded hikers

Purpose describes the underlying reason or intent behind an action or existence. It is commonly used philosophically or in a motivational context.

• The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new project plan
• She found her purpose in life through volunteer work

A cause refers to a broader, often ongoing effort to support or promote a certain principle or idea. It is commonly used in social, political, or fundraising contexts.

• She dedicated her life to the cause of human rights
• The fundraiser was organized for the cause of cancer research

A goal signifies a desired result or achievement that a person or organization aims for. It's often used in personal development, business, or sports contexts.

• His goal is to become a successful engineer
• The team set a new goal to win the championship

When referring to a significant or special task, particularly in a military, religious, or exploratory context.

• The astronauts embarked on a mission to explore Mars.
• She felt a strong mission to serve her community.

Typically used in military or medical contexts to describe a planned activity or a series of activities aimed at accomplishing a specific goal.

• The military operation was successful in freeing the hostages.
• She underwent a complicated surgical operation.

When talking about a job, duty, or task that someone has been given to do, often in a professional or educational context.

• His assignment is to write a report on the company's performance.
• Students need to complete their assignments before the end of the week.

Best used when referring to an organized effort to achieve a particular goal, often in political, social, or marketing contexts.

• The politician launched a campaign to improve education funding.
• They started a campaign to raise awareness about climate change.