How to pronounce mission
Say it like MISH-un. Mission has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mission. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mission pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of mission
American and British speakers say mission in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪʃən/ in the US and /ˈmɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: MISH-un.
What does mission mean?
- an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
- an operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters“the planes were on a bombing mission”
- a special assignment that is given to a person or group“a confidential mission to London”“his charge was deliver a message”
Where does mission come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin missiō, missiōnem (“a sending, sending away, dispatching, discharging, release, remission, cessation”).
Words that rhyme with mission
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mission.
Questions about saying mission
How do you pronounce mission?
Say MISH-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˈmɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mission?
Mission has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MISH). Broken into parts: MISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say mission the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˈmɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.