massage

noun mas·sage \ mə-ˈsäzh , -ˈsäj \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of massage

: manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for relaxation or therapeutic purposes

gave him a neck massage

See massage defined for English-language learners

See massage defined for kids

Examples of massage in a Sentence

She gave him a neck massage.
using massage to help relax

Recent Examples of massage from the Web

One mom will receive a package including a bouquet of flowers from Nanz & Kraft Florist, a 55-minute massage and customized facial from Serenity Spa, and a $200 Von Maur gift card.

— sarah riley, The Courier-Journal, "Nominate someone you love for our Mom of the Year honor!," 10 Apr. 2018
The shop offers haircuts, shaves, massages and more.

— annie zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Open & Shut: A new bike shop in an old fire station, and Paris Cafe relocates," 7 Apr. 2018
There will be a bounce house, giant slide, face painting, dog training demonstrations, grooming tips, taste treats from Souplantation, chair massages and pet adoptions from local rescue groups.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego County Youth of the Year picked," 7 Apr. 2018
The pampering in store for us at Bisate was a welcome way to end the day: massages and a meal of vegetable tarts, fried lake tilapia fillets and chocolate mousse cake, all dairy- and gluten-free.

— New York Times, "Climbing Over Rocks, Holding on to Vines and Then, at Last, Gorillas," 4 Apr. 2018
Go-Jek, an Indonesian company, even offers massage and cleaning services.

— anita rachman, WSJ, "Uber-Killer Grab, Go-Jek Aren’t Just Tech Firms, Indonesia Says," 2 Apr. 2018
Self-care activities like massages and manicures were also frequent suggestions.

— reyhan harmanci, The Cut, "Pre-Baby Maternity Leave Is the Strangest Vacation," 2 Apr. 2018
But the investment in quality people — the company offers health care, massage, and psychotherapy benefits — paid off with a dining room staff that impressed me as one of the best things about Founding Farmers.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Founding Farmers and the woke chain awakening of King of Prussia," 29 Mar. 2018
Indonesian users of Go Jek can order food, massages and manicures at the touch of the app.

— The Economist, "Uber makes a tactical retreat from South-East Asia," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'massage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of massage

French, from masser to massage, from Arabic massa to stroke

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1860

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

massage

verb

Definition of massage

massaged; massaging

transitive verb

1 : to subject to massage

2 a : to treat flatteringly : blandish

b : manipulate, doctor

massaged the data to help his cause

—

massager

noun

See massage defined for English-language learners

Examples of massage in a Sentence

She massaged her leg until the numbness was gone.
a candidate who knows that you have to massage the voters if you want to get elected

Recent Examples of massage from the Web

The apes spent up to 45 minutes at a time massaging the concoction onto their upper arms or legs.

— doug main, Scientific American, "Orangutans Use Plant Extracts to Treat Pain," 6 Apr. 2018
One video was a tutorial about how to massage buttocks, and another featured a song praising Bahaism, a religion that originated in Iran but is heavily suppressed by the Islamic Republic.

— CBS News, "YouTube shooter legally purchased firearm in San Diego earlier this year," 5 Apr. 2018
Heated, cooled and massaging front seats are a class exclusive, at least for now, and the XT4 gets Cadillac’s latest infotainment system, now with a scroll knob to augment its touchscreen interface.

— gary gastelu, Fox News, "The Cadillac XT4 is aimed at Gen X," 28 Mar. 2018
Creativity is usually the result of ideas bumping into each other, from different fields or people, and often those ideas become better when they are challenged, massaged, and revised.

— nancy napier, idahostatesman, "You can be too secretive when it comes to developing your business | Idaho Statesman," 28 Feb. 2018
The scene was the same for each round: Students lined up at two separate tables and hunkered over little pieces of paper, one hand massaging a black and red buzzer, another grasping a pen with sweaty palms.

— silvia foster-frau, San Antonio Express-News, "BASIS middle school and Reagan High teams to compete in National Science Bowl," 10 Feb. 2018
While the victim was face down, Barrios began to massage his legs and then began to remove his clothing after Barrios asked him to turn over, prosecutors said.

— rosemary sobol, chicagotribune.com, "Prosecutors: Kennedy-King lifeguard accused of sexually abusing student," 16 Mar. 2018
Each night pat an oil onto your face and neck, then massage it in with your fingertips, moving upward and outward.

— maddie aberman, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle's Facialist on the Secret to Getting a Facial the Day of Your Wedding," 14 Mar. 2018
The designer created a fabulous design palette (get it?) and then massaged it ever so gently throughout the section, adding delicate and intricate touches.

— USA TODAY, "Arizona Republic, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lead 2017 USA TODAY Network journalism awards," 7 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of massage

see ¹massage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1887

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

massage Synonyms

Synonyms

adulate, blarney, butter up, flatter, hero-worship, honey, overpraise, puff, soft-soap, stroke;

Near Antonyms

bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down;

fawn, kowtow, suck (up to), toady;

idolize, worship;

eulogize, extol (also extoll), laud, praise;

applaud, commend, compliment;

congratulate, felicitate;

drool, gush, slaver, slobber;

endear, ingratiate;

court, romance, woo;

MASSAGE Defined for English Language Learners

massage

noun

Definition of massage for English Language Learners

: the action of rubbing or pressing someone's body in a way that helps muscles to relax or reduces pain in muscles and joints

massage

verb

Definition of massage for English Language Learners

: to rub or press (someone's body) in a way that helps muscles to relax or reduces pain in muscles and joints : to give a massage to (someone or a part of someone's body)
: to change (numbers, data, etc.) in a dishonest way in order to deceive people