massage

1 of 2

noun

mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
: 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

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
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.
Noun
Many people love it as an anti-stretch mark oil or as a massage oil. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2025 After a day behind the wheel exploring winding mountain roads, the specialized massage treatments offer the perfect recalibration for body and mind. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Then, after massaging her arm, the man put it back down on the bed and rubbed her hand along his body. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025 James applies it directly onto the scalp after shampooing and conditioning, lifting hair section by section, gently giving hair a little shake to disperse it and then massaging it in with fingers. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for massage

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of massage was circa 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massage. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

massage

1 of 2 noun
mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on massage

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