[Vocabulary] to commission the building of their own houses

[englishhobby]

I can't understand what the verb 'to comission' means in this context:


Another is the fact that it is extremely rare for people to commission the building of their own houses, Most houses are commissioned either by local government authorities - for poorer people to live in – or, more frequently, by private companies. (from Britain for learners of English by O'Driscoll, James)

The dictionary definitions don't seem to fit in the context.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/commission

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/commission

 

[GoesStation]

The Learners Dictionary verb definition 1b fits perfectly.

 

[Tarheel]

I would hire somebody to do that. I wouldn't use commission there.

(Cross posted.)

 

[tedmc]

I think it means "to instruct or authorise" in the context.

 

[englishhobby]

The Learners Dictionary verb definition 1b fits perfectly.

I would hire somebody to do that. I wouldn't use commission there.

So, it means people in Britain 'do not often hire the building of their own houses'? I can't make out what it means. How can one hire their own house?

 

[GoesStation]

So, it means people in Britain 'do not often hire the building of their own houses'? I can't make out what it means. How can one hire their own house?

Re-read The Learners Dictionary definition I cited: "to order or request (someone) to make or do something".

 

[Tarheel]

So, it means people in Britain 'do not often hire the building of their own houses'? I can't make out what it means. How can one hire their own house?

I can't make out what that means either. But as far as I can tell nobody has said that.

You do not, of course, hire a house. However, you certainly can hire somebody to build a house.