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
Here are seven daring rescue missions that stayed with us long after they were dumped from the news cycle.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
These traits make biodrones suitable for inspecting pipelines, surveying industrial zones, monitoring power lines, or supporting search and rescue missions in hard-to-reach locations.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Farley saw firsthand how a Bronco helped a Utah search and rescue team navigate treacherous terrain during real rescue missions, Cope said.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Search and rescue mission coordinators, on-scene commanders and the Coast Guard determined on Saturday all reasonable search efforts for the missing crew members had been exhausted.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rescue mission
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Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
These traits make biodrones suitable for inspecting pipelines, surveying industrial zones, monitoring power lines, or supporting search and rescue missions in hard-to-reach locations.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Farley saw firsthand how a Bronco helped a Utah search and rescue team navigate treacherous terrain during real rescue missions, Cope said.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Search and rescue mission coordinators, on-scene commanders and the Coast Guard determined on Saturday all reasonable search efforts for the missing crew members had been exhausted.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rescue mission
Cite this Entry
“Rescue mission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rescue%20mission. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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