First Known Use: 1579
Dictionary
courier
courier
noun cou·ri·er \ˈku̇r-Ä“-É™r, ˈkÉ™r-Ä“-, ˈkÉ™-rÄ“-\
: a person whose job is to carry messages, packages, etc., from one person or place to another
: a business that is used to send messages, packages, etc.
: a person who is employed by a travel company and whose job is to help people who are on holiday
Full Definition of COURIER
1
:Â messenger: as a :Â a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages b (1) :Â an espionage agent transferring secret information (2) :Â a runner of contraband c :Â a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies
2
:Â a traveler's paid attendant; especially :Â a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency
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Examples of COURIER
- Police recently arrested a drug courier in our neighborhood.
- The documents were sent by overnight courier.
Origin of COURIER
Middle French courrier, from Old Italian corriere, from correre to run, from Latin currere
Related to COURIER
- Synonyms
- bootlegger, contrabandist, smuggler, runner
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