2 syllables: Mis, sion. Stress on Mis.
MISH-uhn
/ˈmɪʃən/
Mission is pronounced MISH-uhn (/ˈmɪʃən/). It has two syllables (Mis-sion), with the stress on "Mis". Mission is a noun referring to a specific task or assignment undertaken to pursue a goal, often with a defined purpose or objective. It can also denote a strategic campaign or the overall purpose of an organization or effort. In religious contexts, it indicates outreach work or sacred duty. The term typically conveys seriousness, intent, and a structured plan.
nounMission is a noun referring to a specific task or assignment undertaken to pursue a goal, often with a defined purpose or objective. It can also denote a strategic campaign or the overall purpose of an organization or effort. In religious contexts, it indicates outreach work or sacred duty. The term typically conveys seriousness, intent, and a structured plan.
How to Pronounce Mission
"Her mission for the year was to reduce plastic waste in her community."
"The space agency launched a mission to Mars."
"They sent a relief mission to the flood-stricken region."
Pronounce it as /ˈmɪʃ.ən/ in General American and /ˈmɪʃ.ən/ in British English; the second syllable reduces to a schwa. The main emphasis is on the first syllable. Tip: keep the mouth rounded lightly for the /ɪ/ and loosen for the /ən/ ending; avoid adding a pronounced 's' sound between syllables. Listen to native guidance: try the rhythm of 'MISH-ən' with a quick, soft second syllable.
Common errors include over-enunciating the second syllable to sound like /ɪsɔːn/ or adding an extra 's' sound as /ˈmɪsˌɪən/. Another frequent slip is producing a stronger /n/ at the end or using full vowel in the second syllable instead of a schwa. Correct by easing the second syllable to /ən/ and keeping the onset /mɪʃ/ intact. Practice with minimal pair drills: /ˈmɪʃ.ən/ vs /ˈmɪs.ən/ to eliminate the extra consonant, and relax the jaw for the final schwa.
In US English, /ˈmɪʃ.ən/ with a relatively reduced final syllable is common; the /ʃ/ is pronounced like in 'ship'. UK English maintains similar but with slightly crisper /ʃ/ and a possibly shorter second vowel. Australian English typically mirrors US pronunciation but with more centralized vowel quality in the /ɪ/ and a slightly longer /ən/ in rapid speech. All share rhotic variability: some speakers in UK are non-rhotic, while US and AU are rhotic in most contexts, though post-consonantal vowels can vary.
The issue often lies in the reduced second syllable and the exact vowel quality of /ɪ/ before /ʃ/. The transition from /mɪ/ to /ʃ/ is fast and must avoid inserting a vowel between /m/ and /ʃ/. Also, the final /ən/ can be realized as a schwa or a syllabic n in rapid speech, which some learners mispronounce as /ən/ or /n/. Focus on keeping the /ʃ/ clear, and the second syllable as a light, unstressed schwa.
A key word-specific aspect is the subtle transition from the vowel /ɪ/ to the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/, which can cause tongue-tension if you overbend the jaw. The second syllable is typically unstressed and shortened to /ən/, so you should aim for a quick, light release. Avoid inserting an extra vowel or lengthening the second syllable; keep it tight and quick to maintain natural rhythm.
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Mission comes from the Latin missio, meaning “a sending” or “act of sending.” Missio itself derives from mittere, meaning “to send.” The term entered English via Old French as mission, with religious and diplomatic senses initially emphasizing sending someone on a mission or envoy status. In medieval and early modern contexts, missions referred to official tasks assigned to envoys, often of religious or exploratory nature. Over time, the sense expanded to include organized operations with a defined objective, such as military, humanitarian, or corporate missions. In contemporary usage, mission commonly denotes an overarching objective of an organization or a specific undertaking with a clear goal, frequently accompanied by a formal strategy or plan. The noun can also appear in compound forms like mission statement, mission control, or mission-critical, reflecting its transportable sense of purposeful action. First known uses appear in Latin texts, then Old French, and later Middle English, with the modern sense stabilizing by the 16th–18th centuries as global exploration and organized administration intensified.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Mission" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Mission" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Mission"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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