courier

noun

cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər 

ˈkər-ē-, 

ˈkə-rē-

1

: messenger: such as

a

: a member of a diplomatic (see diplomatic sense 2) service entrusted with bearing messages

b(1)

: an espionage agent transferring secret information

(2)

: a runner of contraband (see contraband sense 2)

drug couriers

c

: a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies

2

: a traveler's paid attendant

especially : a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency

Synonyms of courier

• smuggler

Examples of courier in a Sentence

Police recently arrested a drug courier in our neighborhood.

A courier just left a package for you on the porch.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

But even larger quantities went unseized as agents in Albuquerque stood by and watched as drug couriers entered hotels with backpacks believed to be carrying as many as 100,000 fentanyl pills. — Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Ortiz and Simon found their courier before the police noticed them. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

College student Julie Pierre, 21, feared the worst when her 350 rolls failed to arrive at Hollywood’s Yellow Green Farmers Market last Saturday — and suspected the Uber courier had vanished with her sweet delivery (valued at $3,100). — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French corier, courrier, borrowed from Italian corriere, from correre "to run" (going back to Latin currere) + -iere -ier — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing courier

• vaunt-courier

Rhymes for courier

• furrier
• spurrier

Kids Definition

courier

noun

cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər 

ˈkər-ē-, 

ˈkə-rē-

: a messenger especially in the diplomatic service

Etymology

Middle English courrier "a person who carries (runs) messages from one place to another quickly," from early Italian corriere (same meaning), derived from Latin currere "to run" — related to current