Messiah

[ mi-sahy-uh ]

/ mɪˈsaɪ ə /

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noun

the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people.

Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25, 26.

(usually lowercase) any expected deliverer.

(usually lowercase) a zealous leader of some cause or project.

(italics) an oratorio (1742) by George Frideric Handel.

QUIZ

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If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.

Question 1 of 10

Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

crisp

crepitate

fuscous

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Also Douay Bible, Mes·si·as

[mi-sahy-uhs] /mɪˈsaɪ əs/ (for defs. 1, 2).

Origin of Messiah

<Late Latin (Vulgate) Messīās<Greek Messī́ās<Hebrew māshīaḥ literally, anointed

OTHER WORDS FROM Messiah

Mes·si·ah·ship, nounMes·si·an·ic

[mes-ee-an-ik], /ˌmɛs iˈæn ɪk/, adjectiveMes·si·an·i·cal·ly, adverbpre-Mes·si·an·ic, adjective

pseu·do-Mes·si·an·ic, adjective

Words nearby Messiah

Messenia, Messerschmitt, mess gear, mess hall, Messiaen, Messiah, messianic, messianism, Messidor, Messier, Messier catalog

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use Messiah in a sentence

Jesus begs God to let him fulfill his role as the Messiah, and suddenly finds himself back on the cross, where he dies for the sins of mankind.
The Green Knight is glorious and a little baffling. Let’s untangle it.|Alissa Wilkinson|July 30, 2021|Vox
Singing along with Handel’s “Messiah” at the Kennedy Center after waiting in the long line for free tickets.
Today in D.C.: Headlines to start your Thursday in D.C., Maryland and Virginia|Dana Hedgpeth, Teddy Amenabar|December 10, 2020|Washington Post
He was just another wannabe messiah who ended up on the wrong side of the authorities.
So-Called ‘Biblical Scholar’ Says Jesus A Made-Up Myth|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You either have to be a masochist or have an acute Messiah complex.
Obama Really Seems to Be Looking Forward to the End of His Presidency|Dean Obeidallah|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

And that is the key to grasping how we Americans can and cannot take him seriously as a would-be political messiah.
Russell Brand: Not Quite a Messiah|James Poulos|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Fayyad was by no means despised by the masses, but nor was he seen as the messiah-like figure held up by the West.
The End Of 'Fayyadism' In Palestine|Khaled Elgindy|April 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was a nontragic, happy-ending, American Christ: half-messiah, half Santa Claus.
Blood for Sale? Reagan’s Pagan Cult|Lee Siegel|May 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After their restoration, they will acknowledge Messiah at God's right hand as in all things their sovereign Lord.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
On the eighth day after his birth, this immaculate Child was circumcised, both because he was a Jew, and the predicted Messiah.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II|Francis Augustus Cox
The chief of them went out to get a glimpse of the famous preacher, whom so many hailed as the long-expected Messiah.
The Hearth-Stone|Samuel Osgood
Perhaps it may be said, that few nations had even heard of the promised Messiah, and still fewer desired his coming.
Jesus, The Messiah; or, the Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament Scriptures|(A Lady) Anonymous
These predictions of the Prince Messiah are peculiarly striking.
Jesus, The Messiah; or, the Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament Scriptures|(A Lady) Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for Messiah

Messiah

/ (mɪˈsaɪə) /

noun

Judaism the awaited redeemer of the Jews, to be sent by God to free them

Jesus Christ, when regarded in this role

an exceptional or hoped for liberator of a country or people

Derived forms of Messiah

Messiahship, noun

Word Origin for Messiah

C14: from Old French Messie, ultimately from Hebrew māshīach anointed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Messiah (1 of 3)

Messiah

[ (muh-seye-uh) ]

For Jews (see also Jews) and Christians (see also Christian), the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from its sins. Jews believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

Cultural definitions for Messiah (2 of 3)

Messiah

[ (muh-seye-uh) ]

In Judaism and Christianity, the promised “anointed one” or Christ; the Savior. Christians (see also Christian) believe that Jesus was the Messiah who delivered mankind from original sin (see also original sin). Jews (see also Jews) believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

Cultural definitions for Messiah (3 of 3)

Messiah

[ (muh-seye-uh) ]

An oratorio by George Frederick Handel on the life of Jesus. Written for solo singers, chorus, and orchestra, it contains the “Hallelujah Chorus.” In the United States, it is often sung during the Christmas season.