Messiah

American  

[mi-sahy-uh] / mɪˈsaɪ ə /

Douay Bible, Messias

noun

1. the Messiah, the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people.

2. the Messiah, Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling the Old Testament promise and expectation of a deliverer.

3. Usually messiah any expected deliverer or savior.

   Despite the promise and potential that his election represents, we have to accept that our desire for a messiah to bring us sweeping change is not realistic.

4. Usually messiah a zealous leader of some cause or project.

   She was a charismatic, powerful messiah who led her party to numerous political victories.

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

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Messiah British  

/ mɪˈsaɪə /

noun

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

2. Jesus Christ, when regarded in this role

3. an exceptional or hoped for liberator of a country or people

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Messiah ¹ Cultural  

1. 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.

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Messiah ² Cultural  

1. 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.

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Messiah ³ Cultural  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• Messiahship noun
• Messianic adjective
• Messianically adverb
• pre-Messianic adjective
• pseudo-Messianic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Messiah

First recorded before 900; 1660–70 Messiah for def. 4; from Late Latin Messīās, from Greek Messī́ās, from Aramaic mĕshîkha, from Hebrew māshîakh, literally, “anointed,” from māshakh “to anoint”

Explanation

A messiah is anyone who is thought of as the savior of a group of people. You might think of your English teacher as your messiah when she argues with the school principal against mandatory school uniforms — and wins! The word messiah is often used in a religious context to refer to a messenger of God — that is, someone appointed to save people who are in any way oppressed. In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ is considered a messiah. The word can also be used to talk about anyone who seeks justice and helps out those who are powerless. For example, in a comic book, a superhero could be considered a messiah.

Example Sentences

This essay is adapted from his new book, “Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea’s Personality Cult,” to be published by Knopf on April 14.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

In a small candlelit room in western Kenya, worshippers dressed in white gathered at Christmas to mark the birth of what they describe as the "Black Messiah".

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

"Many people are calling me the Messiah," he said.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2025

The success of Get Out propelled Kaluuya to global fame, leading to roles in Black Panther and an Oscar-winning performance in Judas and the Black Messiah.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2024

He was the One to whom the Jews referred as The Messiah, the Christians as The Christ, and the Muslims as The Mahdi.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• defender
• guardian angel
• hero
• liberator
• protector
• salvation