errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd 

ˈe-rənd

1

a

: a short trip taken to attend to some business often for another

was on an errand for his mother

b

: the object or purpose of such a trip

2

archaic

a

: an oral message entrusted to a person

b

: embassy, mission

Examples of errand in a Sentence

He was sent out on an urgent errand.

We were there on an errand of mercy to help provide medical care for the refugees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Burgess and Shelby’s View Forecasting Trump’s decisions is always a fool’s errand, and his public statements on Wednesday only underscored his opaque approach. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 June 2025

No other plans, no errands, no reservations—only flexibility to relax, hang out longer, and see where the day takes you (without any pressure). —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025

In addition to that Target run, Palao ran other errands for the legend, buying a keyboard to accompany the iPad that Stone was using to make music at the time (recording on GarageBand). —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025

Julie made her first public appearance running errands in Nashville, also on May 29. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 15 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erend message, business, from Old English ǣrend; akin to Old High German ārunti message

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing errand

• errand boy
• fool's errand

Rhymes for errand

• gerund

Kids Definition

errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd 

: a short trip taken to do or get something especially for someone else

also : the object or purpose of such a trip