message

[ mes-ij ]

noun

1. a communication containing some information, news, advice, request, or the like, sent by messenger, telephone, email, or other means.
2. an official communication, as from a chief executive to a legislative body:

   the president's message to Congress.

3. Digital Technology. a post or reply on an online message board.
4. the inspired utterance of a prophet or sage.
5. the point, moral, or meaning of a gesture, utterance, novel, motion picture, etc.
6. Computers. a warning, permission, etc., communicated by the system or software to the user:

   an error message;

   a message to allow blocked content.

verb (used without object)

1. to send a message, especially an electronic message.

verb (used with object)

1. to send (a person) a message.
2. to send as a message.

message

/ ˈmɛsɪdʒ /

noun

1. a communication, usually brief, from one person or group to another
2. an implicit meaning or moral, as in a work of art
3. a formal communiqué
4. an inspired communication of a prophet or religious leader
5. a mission; errand
6. plural shopping

   going for the messages

7. get the message informal.
   get the message to understand what is meant

verb

1. tr to send as a message, esp to signal (a plan, etc)

Other Words From

• inter·message noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of message¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin missāticum (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin miss(us) “sent” (past participle of mittere “to send”) + -āticum -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of message¹

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin missāticum (unattested) something sent, from Latin missus, past participle of mittere to send

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get the message, Informal. to understand or comprehend, especially to infer the correct meaning from circumstances, hints, etc.:

   If we don't invite him to the party, maybe he'll get the message.

More idioms and phrases containing message

see get the message .

Example Sentences

Theresa Causa, a nurse practitioner in San Antonio, tried a new dating app called S’More, which reveals matches’ photos only after a pair has exchanged several messages.

From Washington Post

In a brief message on Instagram, the City Girls thanked Rae for the opportunity to enter the world of television.

From Essence.com

With no pregame anthem, maybe there’s no way for the NBA to spread that message as powerfully as players did last summer in Orlando.

From Washington Post

Now you need to signal the Dear Leader that you have received his message and are standing down, but standing by.

From Washington Post

Kazuko Fukuda, one of the women who started the petition, said she had wanted a way to get the message across to politicians in their “boys’ club” who had closed ranks around Mori and cling to old attitudes.

From Washington Post

When it comes to educating our children, Congress should heed that message, not ignore it.

From The Daily Beast

Leelah Alcorn's message was sent, and heard, and things started changing.

From The Daily Beast

Does the sending of the message “justify” the tragedy that caused it?

From The Daily Beast

But the act of killing herself done, the message was sent, and heard, and things started changing.

From The Daily Beast

The audio message featured the words, “the real battle in Lebanon is yet to begin.”

From The Daily Beast

His head fell back limp on MacRae's arm, and the rest of the message went with the game old Dutchman across the big divide.

From Project Gutenberg

We were interrupted at this moment by a message from General Houston, to whom we immediately hastened.

From Project Gutenberg

"It will go through, if I live," calmly replied Harry, as he carefully concealed the message in the lining of his coat.

From Project Gutenberg

In the telegraph office a young signaler was sending a thrilling message to Umballa, Lahore and the north.

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide again sought the message of the stars; but the sky was clouded over, and soon a fine rain began to fall.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• directive
• information
• letter
• memo
• memorandum
• news
• note
• notice
• report
• word