massage

1 of 2

noun

mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
Synonyms of massage
: manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for relaxation or therapeutic purposes
gave him a neck massage

massage

2 of 2

verb

massaged; massaging

transitive verb

1
: to subject to massage
2
a
: to treat flatteringly : blandish
b
: manipulate, doctor
massaged the data to help his cause
massager noun

Synonyms of massage

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of massage in a Sentence

Noun She gave him a neck massage. using massage to help relax Verb She massaged her leg until the numbness was gone. a candidate who knows that you have to massage the voters if you want to get elected
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Wellness seekers can take part in a range of massage and beauty treatments blending traditional Chinese medicine with modern products. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 However, a couples’ massage cabin is in the works, as well as a wellness area with outdoor saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunge pools. — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin. — Sherri Gordon, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026 Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide. — New Atlas, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for massage

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French, from masser to massage, from Arabic massa to stroke

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of massage was circa 1860

Phrases Containing massage

Rhymes for massage

See All Rhymes for massage

Browse Nearby Words

mass action
massage
massage parlor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massage. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

massage

1 of 2 noun
mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
: treatment (as of the body) by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping

massage

2 of 2 verb
massaged; massaging
: to give massage to

Medical Definition

massage

1 of 2 noun
mas·​sage mə-ˈsäzh How to pronounce massage (audio) -ˈsäj How to pronounce massage (audio)
: manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument especially for therapeutic purposes

massage

2 of 2 transitive verb
massaged; massaging
: to treat by means of massage

More from Merriam-Webster on massage

Nglish: Translation of massage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about massage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All