授命 (shòu mìng) is a formal verb meaning 'to commission' or 'to entrust a mission' — typically used when a person in authority assigns an important task or responsibility to someone else. The first character 授 (shòu) means 'to confer, bestow, or hand over', and the second character 命 (mìng) means 'order, command, or mission'. Together, they convey the idea of formally granting authority or assigning a duty — not merely giving instructions, but conferring legitimacy and expectation of execution.

This term appears frequently in official, historical, or bureaucratic contexts — such as government appointments, diplomatic assignments, or military deployments. It carries connotations of solemnity, hierarchy, and trust. While it can appear in modern news reports or formal speeches, it is rarely used in casual conversation. Learners should note that 授命 is almost always transitive and requires a clear subject (the commissioner) and object (the person commissioned), often followed by a purpose clause introduced by 以 or to indicate the mission’s goal.