messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈme-sᵊn-jər How to pronounce messenger (audio)
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

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
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.
All three voter blocs strongly favored Mayor Scott’s message and policies over the approach, by both GOP and Democratic politicians, that focused only on police as messengers and policing as a response to concerns about crime. David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The mysterious spirit animal messengers that Ji-noo sends, a tiger and a magpie who represent the nobles and commoners of many Korean folk tales, needed to be otherworldly without being fully demonic. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 According to the filing, a sagging power line in Hemet, California, operated by Edison came into contact with a Frontier Communications messenger cable, which created sparks and ignited the vegetation below. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 State fire officials determined the fire started after a SoCal Edison power line came into contact with a Frontier communications messenger cable, creating an arc and causing sparks to fall and ignite the vegetation below. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for messenger

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Messenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messenger. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

messenger

noun
mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər How to pronounce messenger (audio)
: one that carries a message or does an errand

Medical Definition

messenger

noun
mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər How to pronounce messenger (audio)
1
: a substance (as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect see first messenger, second messenger
2

More from Merriam-Webster on messenger

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