messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈme-sᵊn-jər 

1

: one who bears a message or does an errand: such as

a

archaic : forerunner, herald

b

: a dispatch bearer in government or military service

c

: an employee who carries messages

2

: a light line used in hauling a heavier line (as between ships)

3

: a substance (such as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect

4

: messenger rna

Synonyms of messenger

• courier
• runner

Examples of messenger in a Sentence

They sent a messenger to pick up the package.

the messenger comes by twice a day to pick up packages

Recent Examples on the Web

Detectives located him by following the meandering path of laundry, sent to him by his wife, via multiple messengers. —Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026

According to Plunge, cold-water immersion triggers norepinephrine, a chemical messenger that delivers a burst of energy while sharpening focus. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026

These proteins have to interact with each other, interact with ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, messenger RNAs, the growing proteins the ribosome makes—plus all the normal proteins over on the large subunit. —ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

According to Plunge, cold immersion can spike dopamine — the brain’s feel-good messenger — up to 500 times above normal levels. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English messangere, from Anglo-French messager, messanger, from message

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing messenger

• blame/shoot the messenger
• messenger bag
• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccine
• messenger RNA vaccines

Kids Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

: one that carries a message or does an errand

Medical Definition

messenger

noun

mes·​sen·​ger ˈmes-ᵊn-jər 

1

: a substance (as a hormone) that mediates a biological effect see first messenger, second messenger

2

: messenger rna