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Meaning & use

commissioning

noun, verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/kəˈmɪʃənɪŋ/
US/kəˈmɪʃənɪŋ/

“commissioning” is a form of “commission”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The act of formally ordering and paying for a piece of work, such as a painting, a report or a building.

    Grammar: Uncountable: the commissioning of a new mural.

    Patterns

    • the commissioning of something
    • commissioning editor

    The commissioning of the statue took two years to arrange.

    A commissioning editor decides which books the publisher will produce.

    The council announced the commissioning of a new report.

  2. noununcountabletechnical

    The process of testing and preparing a new ship, plant or system so that it is ready to be used.

    Grammar: Uncountable technical term: the commissioning of the power station.

    Patterns

    • the commissioning of something
    • commissioning phase

    The commissioning of the new reactor will take several months.

    Engineers are busy with the commissioning of the ship's equipment.

    Commissioning of the software system begins next week.

  3. verbtransitive

    The -ing form of commission, meaning to order work from someone or to appoint someone to a role or rank.

    Grammar: Takes an object: she is commissioning a portrait.

    Patterns

    • commissioning someone to do something
    • commissioning something from someone

    The museum is commissioning an artist to paint a mural.

    She is commissioning a survey of customer opinions.

    The army is commissioning new officers this month.

Common combinations

commissioning process
The commissioning process for the hospital was long.
commissioning editor
A commissioning editor chose the new series.
commissioning team
The commissioning team tested every valve.
commissioning phase
The project is now in the commissioning phase.
commissioning of a ship
The commissioning of the ship was marked with a ceremony.

Synonyms and how they differ

ordering
Ordering is broader and applies to anything bought, while commissioning suggests a special piece of work made for you.
hiring
Hiring is about employing people, while commissioning is about asking for a specific piece of work.
launching
Launching is about starting something, while commissioning in engineering is the testing before it enters service.

Opposites

decommissioning

Word family

commission verb
to order or authorize work
commission noun
a piece of work ordered, or a payment based on sales
commissioner noun
an official in charge of a department
decommission verb
to take out of service
commissioned adjective
ordered or officially appointed

Commonly confused: commissioning or committing?

commissioning vs committing

Committing means promising or doing something (such as a crime), while commissioning means ordering work.

Practice

Before the new power plant starts supplying electricity, engineers will carry out its _____.

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