task

[ task, tahsk ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: assignment, job

2. any piece of work.

   Synonyms: assignment, job

3. a matter of considerable labor or difficulty.
4. Obsolete. a tax or impost.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to severe or excessive labor or exertion; put a strain upon (powers, resources, etc.).
2. to impose a task on.
3. Obsolete. to tax.

adjective

1. of or relating to a task or tasks:

   A task chart will help organize the department's work.

task

/ tɑːsk /

noun

1. a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or chore
2. an unpleasant or difficult job or duty
3. any piece of work
4. take to task
   to criticize or reprove

verb

1. to assign a task to
2. to subject to severe strain; tax

Derived Forms

• ˈtasker, noun
• ˈtaskless, adjective

Other Words From

• taskless adjective
• subtask noun
• un·tasked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of task¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun, from Medieval Latin tasca, variant of taxa tax ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of task¹

C13: from Old French tasche, from Medieval Latin tasca, from taxa tax, from Latin taxāre to tax

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take to task, to call to account; blame; censure:

   The teacher took them to task for not doing their homework.

More idioms and phrases containing task

see take to task .

Synonym Study

Task, chore, job, assignment refer to a definite and specific instance or act of work. Task and chore and, to a lesser extent, job often imply work that is tiresome, arduous, or otherwise unpleasant. Task usually refers to a clearly defined piece of work, sometimes of short or limited duration, assigned to or expected of a person: the task of pacifying angry customers; a difficult, time-consuming task. A chore is a minor task, usually one of several performed as part of a routine, as in farming, and often more tedious than difficult: the daily chore of taking out the garbage; early morning chores of feeding the livestock. Job is the most general of these terms, referring to almost any work or responsibility, including a person's means of earning a living: the job of washing the windows; a well-paying job in advertising. Assignment refers to a specific task allocated to a person by someone in a position of authority: a homework assignment; a reporter's assignment to cover international news.

Example Sentences

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

From TechCrunch

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

From Popular-Science

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

From Search Engine Watch

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

From MIT Technology Review

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

From Popular-Science

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg