messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈme-sᵊn-jər 

1

: one who bears a message or does an errand: such as

a

archaic : forerunner, herald

b

: a dispatch bearer in government or military service

c

: an employee who carries messages

2

: a light line used in hauling a heavier line (as between ships)

3

: a substance (such as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect

4

: messenger rna

Synonyms of messenger

• courier
• runner

Examples of messenger in a Sentence

They sent a messenger to pick up the package.

the messenger comes by twice a day to pick up packages

Recent Examples on the Web

Mercury, the messenger, is embracing beauteous Venus in your 10th House of Drive. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026

Cytokines are the immune system’s chemical messengers that fire up immune cells and tell them to fight invaders, like bacteria and viruses. —Sonya Collins, SELF, 26 Feb. 2026

According to authorities, a police officer in New Albany, Ohio, was conducting an undercover operation in June 2022 when multiple people were found to be posting child pornography in a private group chat on the Kik mobile messenger app. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026

For whatever reason, my skin seems to absorb the product really well that way—don't shoot the messenger! —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English messangere, from Anglo-French messager, messanger, from message

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing messenger

• blame/shoot the messenger
• messenger bag
• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccine
• messenger RNA vaccines

Kids Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

: one that carries a message or does an errand

Medical Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

1

: a substance (as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect see first messenger, second messenger

2

: messenger rna