Definition of: commission

(kə·mish′ən) noun
1. The act of committing, doing, or perpetrating; positive doing: contrasted with omission.
2. The act of entrusting; the matter entrusted; a trust; charge.
3. A certificate which confers a particular authority; specifically, a document issued by the president of the United States conferring rank and authority as an officer in the armed forces.
4. The rank or authority so conferred.
5. A body of persons acting under public authority.
6. The transaction of business for another under his authority; agency; also, an item of business so transacted.
7. The compensation of an agent.
—to put in (or into) commission
1. To put in direct command of a designated officer, as a ship of war, for active service.
2. Brit. To entrust temporarily to a commission, as the great seal or the functions of a high office.
—to put out of commission
1. To render unfit for use; to best or defeat thoroughly.
2. To retire the officers and crew of a naval vessel from active service, either permanently or temporarily.
—v.t.
1. To give rank or authority to, as an officer.
2. To put into active service, as a ship of war.
3. To appoint; empower; delegate. [<OF <L commissio, -onis <committere COMMIT]
—com·mis′sion·al, com·mis·sion·ar·y (kə·mish′ən·er′ē) adjective