commission
noun
plural commissions
Definition of commission
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
received a lieutenant's commission in the army
b
: a formal request to produce something (especially an artistic work) in exchange for payment
… he found his footing as a Western artist when he received a commission in 1958 to create two … paintings …— William Grimes
also
: a work produced by commission
… the play was a commission of the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis … — Sharon Eberson
3a
: authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another
… had summoned all the clans which acknowledged his commission …— T. B. Macaulay
b
: a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
executed a commission for me while he was in Singapore
4a
: a group of persons directed to perform some duty
The state set up a commission to study the proposed merger of the school districts.
b
: a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers
regulatory powers exercised by the Federal Trade Commission
c
: a city council having legislative and executive functions
She served on the city's water commission.
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
He gets a commission for each car he sells.
7
: an act of entrusting or giving authority
the commission of limited powers to the administrator