messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈme-sᵊn-jər 

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

: messenger rna

Synonyms

• courier
• express [British]
• go-between
• page
• runner

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

In Aquarius, the messenger planet encourages you to think outside the box, seek intellectual freedom and embrace unconventionality. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Finding messages that align with the target audience’s values, along with using trusted messengers – like climate-friendly conservative groups when speaking to political conservatives – can help. —Jill Hopke, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2025

Holscher points to a 2018 study that found that people who ate more than 30 different types of plant foods each week also had more gut microbes that produce chemical messengers known to boost health. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025

One reason may be the underlying inflammation: This triggers the release of cytokines, chemical messengers that cause fatigue. —Brittany Risher, SELF, 8 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing messenger

• blame/shoot the messenger
• messenger bag
• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccines

Kids Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

: one that carries a message or does an errand

Medical Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

1

: a substance (as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect see first messenger, second messenger

2

: messenger rna