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

But mRNA vaccines use a piece of mRNA, or messenger ribonucleic acid, that encodes for a viral protein. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

The messenger, French emigré Charles Darnay (Civil) is arrested for treason. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Many occur naturally in the body and act as chemical messengers, influencing metabolism, inflammation, reproduction and other physiological processes. — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

An mRNA vaccine, or messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine, is a type of immunization that uses a copy of a molecule called messenger RNA to help the body create an effective immune response. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Aug. 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