noun
messiah
muh-SEYE-uh
noun
1
In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a promised savior or deliverer sent by God; in Christianity, specifically Jesus Christ.
"Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah foretold in Hebrew scripture."
"Jewish tradition still awaits the coming of the Messiah."
2
By extension, any figure seen as a great savior or liberator of a group.
"Fans hailed the new coach as the team’s messiah after just one winning season."
How to Use Messiah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA promised savior figure — used religiously, or loosely for anyone seen as a hero who will fix everything.
Common pairings
the promised messiah
hailed as a messiah
Word Forms
messiahs plural
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Christians believe Jesus is the _____ foretold in Hebrew scripture.
Etymology
From Hebrew mashiach ("anointed one"), via Aramaic, Greek, and Latin, into Middle English "Messyas".