the meaning of special task

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a definite piece of work assigned to, falling to, or expected of a person; duty.

any piece of work.

a matter of considerable labor or difficulty.

Obsolete . a tax or impost.

to subject to severe or excessive labor or exertion; put a strain upon (powers, resources, etc.).

to impose a task on.

Obsolete . to tax.

of or relating to a task or tasks: A task chart will help organize the department's work.

Idioms about task

take to task , to call to account; blame; censure: The teacher took them to task for not doing their homework.

Origin of task

Synonym study for task, other words for task, other words from task.

• taskless, adjective
• subtask, noun
• un·tasked, adjective

Words Nearby task

• taskmistress
• task-oriented

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use task in a sentence

They provide response playbooks, help assign tasks to the correct team members, and help capture records of how and when your company took action.

The beauty of it all is that once your papers are organized, your space is cleaner and your tasks are accomplished quicker.

A hashtag challenge is a unique TikTok’s content format where brands ask users to post a certain task using a specific hashtag.

Today’s technologies aren’t up to the task of deep decarbonization.

You can also right-click on the app and choose End task from there.

In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.

Detectives with a fugitive task force caught up with Polanco and a friend on a Bronx street in the early afternoon.

Sabrine is a trained lawyer, likely a helpful quality when your task is to push politicians.

It was a complex task they were asked to do, and every cultural and experiential advantage would be required.

Before dying in 1219, Marshal would begin the task of rebuilding England after decades of war.

And it was no light task , then, for six hundred men to keep the peace on a thousand miles of frontier.

Will the new issues promptly retire when their special task is over?

He sighed as he laid the papers on the table; for he thought the task would be a harder one than even his own immolation.

Having accomplished his task within three months Datto Mandi withdrew with all his men, except two who wished to settle at Pardo.

Through the beautiful, windy autumn days, he labored at his difficult task , the task of telling a story.

British Dictionary definitions for task

/ ( tɑːsk ) /

a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or chore

an unpleasant or difficult job or duty

any piece of work

take to task to criticize or reprove

to assign a task to

to subject to severe strain; tax

Derived forms of task

• tasker , noun
• taskless , adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with task

see take to task.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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Meaning of task – Learner’s Dictionary

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• I had the sad task of sorting through her papers after she died .
• Max has undertaken the task of restoring an old houseboat .
• Robson's first task will be to inspire his team with some confidence .
• We ranked the tasks in order of importance .
• UN troops were assigned the task of rebuilding the hospital .

Translations of task

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any one of the eight least valuable pieces in the game of chess

Reunions and housewarmings (Words for different parties)

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Example sentences special project

A group raising cash for a special project could include someone who was born to love you.

We got on well from the start but only realised how we felt after working closely on a special project .

The candidates have each been asked to oversee a special project for the company to assist the board in its selection process.

Raising the funds for a special project gets easier, too.

That special project will finally get your needed attention.

Definition of 'project' project

Definition of 'special' special

COBUILD Collocations special project

Browse alphabetically special project.

• special precautions
• special price
• special privilege
• special project
• special promotion
• special prosecutor
• special protection
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'S'

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Definition of task force

Examples of task force in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'task force.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1941, in the meaning defined above

Articles Related to task force

A Brief History of the 'Task Force'

Our objective is clear.

Dictionary Entries Near task force

Cite this entry.

“Task force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/task%20force. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for task force

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Special Operations Forces

• Last updated: 25 Jul. 2023 17:08

NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) are elite military units designed to undertake complex and dynamic security missions within the evolving strategic environment. They complement NATO land, air, maritime, cyber and space capabilities and are essential components of multi-domain operations – particularly in situations requiring clandestine (and potentially high-risk) operations. Special Operations Forces support the Alliance’s three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.

Hungarian Special Operations Forces practise their skills operating underwater and emerging silently on shore in the Tisza River. (photo credit: Hungarian Armed Forces)

• Special operations are military activities conducted by specially designated, organised, trained and equipped forces using distinct techniques and modes of employment.
• These activities can be conducted independently or in conjunction with conventional forces, interagency partners, or local or surrogate forces. Most SOF operations require non-SOF support.
• Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) serves as NATO's SOF Theatre Component Command and is the focal point for Allied SOF.

Key features of Special Operations Forces

The successful conduct of special operations relies on individual and small-unit proficiency. These highly trained forces use specialised operational skills, applied with adaptability, improvisation, innovation and self-reliance. The small size, unique capabilities and self-sufficiency (for limited periods) of SOF units provide the Alliance with additional options for a military response that may not entail the risk of escalation normally associated with the employment of inherently larger or more visible conventional forces.

NATO SOF are an asset employed to help achieve tactical, operational and strategic objectives. They are organised so that they are able to operate seamlessly alongside land, air, maritime, cyber and space units. This allows Allied and partner forces to act together coherently and efficiently during NATO operations and exercises.

Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM)

SOFCOM is co-located with Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. It falls under the operational command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). Twenty-seven NATO member countries and three partners (Austria, Ireland and NATO Invitee Sweden) are represented among the 200-plus headquarters staff.

SOFCOM’s mission is to enhance interoperability among Allied SOF and with partner SOF operators. As such, SOFCOM is the Theatre Component Command for NATO SOF activities, which are undertaken by contributions from national SOF units. The SOFCOM Commander, as the Theatre Component Commander, provides strategic SOF-related advice, enables SOF development and synchronises SOF operations and exercises to deter threats and defend the Alliance. There is also a Special Operations Component Command (SOCC) element responsible for command and control of SOF within the NATO Response Force (NRF). This element is provided on a rotational basis by a handful of countries that possess the requisite SOF capacity and capability.

The NATO Special Operations University at Chièvres Air Base in Belgium provides training and education to build Allies’ and partners’ SOF capabilities, capacity and interoperability. This effort enhances the development of capable, realistic, geographically oriented SOF relationships and structures to achieve NATO objectives in peacetime, crisis and conflict.

SOFCOM traces its origins to the 2006 NATO Summit in Riga, where Allies agreed to launch the NATO SOF Transformation Initiative. This initiative established the NATO SOF Coordination Centre (NSCC) to synchronise SOF capability development across NATO. The NSCC supported NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2014, and the follow-on Resolute Support Mission (RSM) from 2015 until it ended in 2021. It also stood up the NATO Special Operations University (NSOU) in 2009. In 2010, the NSCC changed its name to NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ). In 2018, Allies designated NSHQ as the Theatre Component Command for NATO SOF activities. In 2023, NSHQ was reflagged as Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) to align with other NATO Theatre Component Commands: Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) and Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).

SOFCOM continues to adapt, coordinate, enable and support the integration of multinational Special Operations Forces, ensuring the Alliance’s collective defence based on a 360-degree approach.

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