plural noun
Payments made to a salesperson or agent for selling something or arranging a service, usually as a percentage of the money involved.
Sales commissions make up much of her income.
The company pays commissions on every insurance policy.
American English
How to pronounce commissions
noun · verbB2Common word
kʰuhMIHshnz
/kʰəˈmɪ.ʃn̩z/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of commission
Commissions is a plural noun or the third-person singular form of the verb commission.
Payments made to a salesperson or agent for selling something or arranging a service, usually as a percentage of the money involved.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
plural noun
Official groups chosen to study problems, investigate events, or manage special tasks.
Several commissions investigated the causes of the accident.
The government created commissions to review the new law.
third-person singular verb
Officially asks someone to create or produce something specially, usually for payment.
The museum commissions local artists to create public sculptures.
She commissions a new dress from a designer each year.
third-person singular verb
Officially starts using a machine, building, or system after it has been tested.
The utility commissions a new solar plant this summer.
The agency commissions the system after months of testing.
Useful expressions
Paid according to sales, usually instead of receiving only a fixed salary.
The salesperson works on commission.
Not working or not available to use.
The elevator is out of commission.