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 But the messenger also frequently sought highly specific security information. Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 The marathon was born when the great messenger Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C.E. to warn against the invading Persian Army. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 But remember, while iMessage user numbers are often quoted at a billion-plus, this is the stock messenger on every iPhone. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The messenger hoped the golden retriever-husky mix up for adoption was actually Will. Will was scheduled to be at an adoption event on Feb. 17, according to the shelter. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024 Resist deflecting it and persecuting the messenger for daring to say something negative to you. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024 His name means messenger, Audrey revealed on Instagram shortly after his birth. Mckinley Franklin, Peoplemag, 22 Jan. 2024 Among other things, the aim was to find out which messenger RNAs (mRNAs) the mouse brain cells produced. Karin Schlott, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023 Lin-Manuel Miranda shows up as the tricky messenger Hermes, while Adam Copeland trades his wrestling garb for the long black coat of Ares. EW.com, 15 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'messenger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near messenger

Cite this Entry

“Messenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messenger. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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