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

Some have encouraged online attendance, while others have offered help doing errands such as grocery shopping for people too fearful to leave their homes. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Sending money across borders used to feel like a separate financial errand. — Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer in your 3rd House of Communication, making texts, directions, calls, errands, and local plans easier to misread. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Pair it with sneakers for errands, flat sandals for brunch, or wedges for a casual summer dinner. — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

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