definitions

Messiah

[ mi-sahy-uh ]
/ mɪˈsaɪ ə /

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.

RELATED WORDS

lord, savior, Christ, Jesus, redeemer, Emmanuel
Also Douay Bible, Mes·si·as [mi-sahy-uh s] /mɪˈsaɪ əs/ (for defs 1, 2).

Origin of Messiah

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

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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

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

Culture 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.

Culture 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.

Culture 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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.