rescue mission
noun
plural rescue missions
1
: a city religious mission (see mission entry 1 sense 4a) providing social and spiritual assistance to the poor and needy
The nonprofit, Christian-based rescue mission has provided a variety of social services to the poor and homeless over its 55-year history.—
Janet Lavelle
Janet Lavelle
also
: the premises of a rescue mission
I used to go quite often to Charleston, West Virginia to speak in the old rescue mission … —Lee Roberson
Lee Roberson 2
: an undertaking to rescue someone or something from a dangerous or difficult situation
They kept him alive that way for more than twenty-four hours, waiting for a helicopter rescue mission that came too late.—Jamie James
Jamie JamesAfter a 12-hour rescue mission, navy personnel were able to tow the animal safely to land.—Brigit Katz
Brigit KatzExamples of rescue mission in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In April of 1980, Carter authorized a hostage rescue mission but three of the eight helicopters sent inside Iran malfunctioned in the desert.
—Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Carter at one point ordered a rescue mission to try to release the U.S. hostages.
—Stephen Neukam, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
After Shackleton’s death, the vessel remained in use for 40 years, participating in seal hunting, Arctic research expeditions and rescue missions.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Emergency responders were called to the scene in what is currently being considered a rescue mission, authorities said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rescue mission 
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Jonathan Alter, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Carter at one point ordered a rescue mission to try to release the U.S. hostages.
—Stephen Neukam, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
After Shackleton’s death, the vessel remained in use for 40 years, participating in seal hunting, Arctic research expeditions and rescue missions.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Emergency responders were called to the scene in what is currently being considered a rescue mission, authorities said.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rescue mission
Dictionary Entries Near rescue mission
Cite this Entry
“Rescue mission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rescue%20mission. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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