A "commission" is a fee paid to an individual or organization for facilitating a sale or service. This payment is often a percentage of the total sale amount and serves as an incentive for the person to promote or sell a product. For example, a real estate agent may earn a commission for helping clients buy or sell a property. In some cases, commissions can also refer to a group of people assigned to carry out a specific task or project. For instance, a government commission might be formed to investigate a public issue or develop new policies.