massage

1 of 2

noun

mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh  -ˈsäj 

: 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

massage

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms of massage

Verb

• flatter
• stroke
• praise
• butter up
• congratulate
• puff

Examples of massage in a Sentence

Noun

She gave him a neck massage.

using massage to help relax

Verb

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 on the Web

Noun

Feckovic said those resources include therapy equipment and a wide range of therapies -- massage, movement, and music -- all funded through Medicaid. —Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2025

Oakley got injured a few months ago and, since then, the poster has been doing physical therapy and massage with him. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Verb

During her cooking demo with King, the two stars prepared chicken sliders with homemade pimento cheese, a collard salad massaged with a vinaigrette made by the dynamic duo, topped with carrot ribbons, honeycrisp apples, orange wheels and feta cheese. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Ever since then, every night and throughout the day, River will go over to Oakley and massage him all on his own. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing massage

• massage parlor
• massage someone's ego
• massage therapist
• massage therapy
• Swedish massage

Rhymes for massage

• barrage
• collage
• corsage
• dressage
• garage
• mirage
• montage
• swaraj
• arbitrage
• camouflage
• entourage
• sabotage

Kids Definition

massage

1 of 2 noun

mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh  -ˈsäj 

: treatment (as of the body) by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping

massage

2 of 2 verb

massaged; massaging

: to give massage to

Medical Definition

massage

1 of 2 noun

mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh  -ˈsäj 

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

massage

2 of 2 transitive verb

massaged; massaging

: to treat by means of massage