Meaning & Definition of word "Massage"

Massage

/məˈsɑːʒ/

noun:

  • 1. The act or process of rubbing or kneading the body for therapeutic purposes.
    • Example: He treated himself to a relaxing massage at the spa.
  • 2. A therapeutic treatment involving the manipulation of the body's soft tissues.
    • Example: The athlete received a sports massage to help with recovery after the game.

verb:

  • 1. To manipulate (a person’s) body with the hands to relieve tension or pain.
    • Example: After a long week at work, I decided to massage my sore shoulders to alleviate the stress.
  • 2. To rub or knead (the body) to increase circulation or promote relaxation.
    • Example: She likes to massage her feet after standing all day.

Etymology

From French 'massage', derived from the Arabic 'massa' meaning 'to touch, feel'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

massage therapist:

A trained professional who provides massage therapy.

sports massage:

A type of massage aimed at athletes to enhance performance and recovery.

full body massage:

A massage that addresses the entire body, typically lasting longer.

back massage:

A focused massage on the back area, often to relieve tension.

hot stone massage:

A type of massage that uses heated stones to relax the muscles.

Related Words

reflexology:

A therapy that involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet or hands.

therapy:

Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.

acupressure:

A traditional Chinese medicine technique involving pressure on specific points.

Slang Meanings of massage

Meaning: Happy ending

Example Sentence: He joked about getting a happy ending at the massage parlor.

Meaning: Rubdown

Example Sentence: After the game, he needed a rubdown to ease his sore muscles.