task

1 of 2

noun

plural tasks
1
a
: a usually assigned piece of work often to be finished within a certain time
b
: something hard or unpleasant that has to be done
c
2
: subjection to adverse criticism : reprimand
… the state government was called to task for not doing more to help the area around the casinos.Stephanie Powers
In the NFL, coaches often aren't brought to task for their worst decisions even after games.Rodger Sherman
see also take to task

task

2 of 2

verb

tasked; tasking; tasks

transitive verb

1
: to assign a task to
employees tasked with updating the files
2
: to oppress with great labor
tasks his mind with petty details
3
obsolete : to impose a tax on
Choose the Right Synonym for task

task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done.

task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Examples of task in a Sentence

Noun Our first task is to review the budget. one of my tasks in the morning is to make lunches for everyone in the family Verb I have been tasked by the host with bringing the pies for Thanksgiving this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
What the scientists found was that those who had been allowed to keep their lucky charms felt more confident going into the tasks. Popular Science Staff, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024 Republicans will turn immediately to the task of choosing a new leader for their party. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
The five-member Alameda County Board of Supervisors will be tasked with appointing a replacement to serve until the next general election in 2026. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 Urquiza will be tasked with navigating these financial limitations while addressing the rising demand for international policing support. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for task 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English taske, from Middle French dialect (Picardy, Flanders) tasque, from Medieval Latin tasca tax or service imposed by a feudal superior, alteration of *taxa, from taxare to tax

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of task was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near task

Cite this Entry

“Task.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/task. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

task

noun
ˈtask
: a piece of assigned work

Medical Definition

task

noun
: the performance that is required of the subject in a psychological experiment or test and that is usually communicated to a human subject by verbal instructions

More from Merriam-Webster on task

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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