uppermost division of Miocene (Miocene Epoch) rocks, representing all rocks deposited worldwide during the Messinian Age (7.2 million to 5.3 million years ago) of the Neogene Period (the past 23 million years). The Messinian Stage is named for marine strata near Messina, Sicily.

The Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) defining the lower boundary of this stage, ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) in 2000, is located in the Oued Akrech near Rabat, Mor. This boundary is nearly coincident with the base of the zone of the foraminiferan (pseudopod-using unicellular organism protected by a test or shell) Globorotalia miotumida and the calcareous nannofossil (remains of ocean-dwelling golden-brown algae composed of calcite platelets) Amaurolithus delicatus. The upper boundary of the Messinian coincides with the first appearance of the calcareous nannofossil Ceratolithus acutus. The Messinian Stage overlies the Tortonian Stage and underlies the Zanclean Stage.