Commission Meaning and Definition
Commission
Pronunciation
/ˈkɒmɪʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A commission is a group of people appointed to investigate a matter, such as the conduct of an official or the performance of a company, to provide a report on their findings, often with power to make recommendations for change.
Examples
1. “The government appointed a commission to investigate the accident and identify the cause.”
2. “The company hired a commission to review their financial statements and identify areas for improvement.”
Synonyms
1. Board
2. Committee
Antonyms
1. Investigation
2. Inquiry
Etymology
The word “commission” comes from the Latin “commissio,” meaning “a receiving, a taking upon, a being intrusted with.” This root is also seen in the words “commission,” “commit,” and “permission.”
The term has its origins in the 14th century, when it was first used to describe a group of people appointed to investigate a matter or perform a task.
Additional Information
A commission is often composed of experts, officials, or community members who are appointed to investigate a matter and produce a report.
The commission may be established by government, company, or other organizations to investigate a specific issue or event.
The report produced by the commission typically includes findings, recommendations, and sometimes actions to be taken by the organization or government.
Commission reports can be influential in shaping public policy or determining the course of action for an organization.
Examples of commissions include government-appointed commissions, such as a commission to investigate a natural disaster or economic crisis, or company- appointed commissions, such as a commission to review a company’s financial statements.
Commissions can also be formed to investigate specific events or incidents, such as a commission to investigate a plane crash or a commission to investigate a company’s actions.
Commissions are often used as a way to provide a thorough and impartial examination of a complex issue, and to provide recommendations for change.
Usage Notes
When using the term “commission,” keep in mind that it can refer to either a group of people or a board or committee that is tasked with investigating a matter.
The term can also be synonymous with “committee” or “board.”
When referring to a commission, use the possessive form, such as “the commission’s report” or “the commission’s findings.”
Cultural References
The term “commission” has been used in various forms of art, literature, and media.
Examples include the 19th-century American writer Edith Wharton’s novel “The Custom of the Country,” which features a character who serves on a commission to investigate a matter.
Another example is the 1960s TV series “Mission: Impossible,” which features a team of secret agents who serve on a commission to investigate and complete covert missions.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some idiomatic expressions that use the term “commission” include “on commission,” meaning “with a special power or authority,” and “take into commission,” meaning “to appoint or assign someone to a task or position.”
Another example is the idiom “stand the commission,” meaning “to undergo an investigation or be subject to scrutiny.”
Collocations
Some common word combinations that include the term “commission” include:
1. “Appoint a commission”
2. “Establish a commission”
3. “Gather a commission”
4. “Findings of the commission”
Frequency of Use
The word “commission” is relatively frequently used in formal and official contexts, such as government reports and company statements.
However, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation and informal writing.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of the word “commission” include:
1. Commision
2. Commissione
3. Comission
4. Commision