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
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
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
After a 12-hour rescue mission, navy personnel were able to tow the animal safely to land.—Brigit Katz
Cite this Entry
“Rescue mission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rescue%20mission. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.
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