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.
   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

Beyond the physical connections of these brain areas, it was also important to consider the types of messages they might send each other.

From Science Daily

Eastern scientists such as Alexander Sulakvelidze, one of Zeldovich’s main modern characters, who left Georgia after the fall of the Soviet Union, brought the message of phage’s potential.

From Salon

Political messages seem designed to keep voters “emotionally on edge,” said Vaile Wright, a licensed psychologist in Villa Park, Ill., and a member of the APA’s Stress in America team.

From Los Angeles Times

The alleged underage victim was even called "vintage 99" in text messages, as if she was a wine that one consumes, not a person.

From Salon

Social media and messaging platforms could face significant fines potentially measured in the billions if they do not comply with the OSA.

From BBC

Related Words

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