The word commission has several related meanings:

When you commission something, you formally request someone to create or do it, usually paying them for their work. A wealthy patron might commission a portrait from an artist, or a town might commission an architect to design a new library. The artist or architect then has a commission, meaning both the assignment itself and often the payment they'll receive for completing it.

In sales, a commission is money earned based on what you sell. A salesperson might earn a 10% commission on every car they sell. If they sell a $20,000 car, they earn $2,000. This motivates them to sell more and work harder, since their income depends directly on their success.

A commission can also be an official group assigned to investigate something or accomplish a task. A city might form a parks commission to manage public spaces, or Congress might create a commission to study a national problem. These groups have the authority to gather information, hold hearings, and make recommendations.

In the military, an officer's commission is the official authority given to someone to command troops. When someone receives a commission, they become a commissioned officer with leadership responsibilities.

All these meanings share the idea of being formally authorized or assigned to do something important.