message

1 of 2

noun

mes·​sage ˈme-sij How to pronounce message (audio)
1
: a communication in writing, in speech, or by signals
Please take this message for me to my friend.
2
: a messenger's mission
the girl will go on a message to the shopCahir Healy
3
: an underlying theme or idea
the message is that it is time to changeThe Economist

message

2 of 2

verb

messaged; messaging

transitive verb

1
: to send as a message or by messenger
2
: to send a message to

intransitive verb

: to communicate by message

Examples of message in a Sentence

Noun Did you get my message? She has received messages of support from hundreds of people. I left a message on her answering machine. He's not here right now. Can I take a message? I liked the story but I didn't really agree with the book's message. He believed in the church's message of forgiveness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Through tireless efforts, these lawyers are not only winning cases but also sending a powerful message: that every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that those who violate these basic rights will be held accountable. Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025 Each intermission featured a sequence of striking visuals and thought-provoking messages displayed onscreen above the stage. Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Volk messaged a photo of the wallet and included the driver’s license. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025 The same mobile phone used to message family or check the weather could soon become the most powerful tool for economic security in vulnerable countries. Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for message

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin missaticum, from Latin missus, past participle of mittere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of message was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Message.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/message. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

message

noun
mes·​sage
ˈmes-ij
1
: a communication in writing, in speech, or by signals
2
: a messenger's errand or function
3
: an underlying theme or idea
Etymology

Noun

Middle English message "job or function of a messenger," from early French message (same meaning), from Latin missaticum "something given to a messenger to deliver," from earlier missus (past participle of mittere "to send, throw") and -aticum "action, result" — related to emit, mission, promise, submissive

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