message

American  

[mes-ij] / ˈmɛs ɪdʒ /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. get the message, 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.

message British  

/ 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. informal to understand what is meant

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verb

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

message More Idioms  

1. see get the message.

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Other Word Forms

• intermessage noun

Etymology

Origin of message

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

Example Sentences

“It’s kind of a boring message, I know,” Solin told MarketWatch in a previous interview.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The secretary also claimed that the man’s first radio message to rescue forces was “God is good,” an account that can’t be verified as the pilot’s identity hasn’t been released.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

In a message to Baker, the 24-year-old singer said: "Absolutely in love with your work. I just ordered your fire horses on canvas. So excited."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“Beijing’s diplomacy is designed to send a message to the White House,” said Evan Medeiros, a former senior national-security official and professor at Georgetown University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

A message, then, that he could not relay over the phone.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

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