courier

noun

cou·ri·er | \ ˈku̇r-ē-ər

, ˈkər-ē-, ˈkə-rē-\

Definition of courier

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 Example Sentences Learn More about courier

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Examples of courier in a Sentence

Police recently arrested a drug courier in our neighborhood. The documents were sent by overnight courier.

Recent Examples on the Web

But on the border, the signs of North Korea’s economic dependence on China are evident in a shadow economy of cash couriers, short-term workers and gray-market trading that has persisted despite the sanctions. — Jane Perlez, New York Times, "A Trump-Kim Deal Could Send China’s Trade With North Korea Soaring," 5 June 2018 Shipping is via Royal Mail or courier (52 Hasker Street, London; bespoke prices upon request). — Nicole Berrie, Condé Nast Traveler, "These Gorgeous European Souvenirs Are Made Just For You," 28 Sep. 2018 The documents provide a glimpse into the life of the first couriers, from their long months on the road to their close relationships with diplomats and military leaders. — Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, "100 years of secrecy: The story of America's first swashbuckling diplomatic couriers," 11 Apr. 2018 What’s Happening These couriers went public in 2016 and 2017. — Shen Hong, WSJ, "Investors Warm to the Firms That Underpin China’s E-Commerce Boom," 28 Jan. 2019 McDaniels alleged he was approached for the bribe by then-Officer Kallatt Mohammed, who was sent with Watts to federal prison in 2013 for stealing money from a drug courier who'd been working as an FBI informant. — Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "Prosecutors drop charges against another man tied to corrupt ex-Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts," 25 June 2018 By attaching courier bags, the Segway promised to reduce physical strains associated with lugging sacks of mail while increasing the rate of delivery. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "12 Geeky Ways to Deliver Mail: U.S. Postal Service Technology Through the Ages," 18 Jan. 2019 This courier then takes the food delivery to within a few hundred meters of its destination, before a KiwiBot is used to take it directly to a person’s door. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Delivery robot spontaneously bursts into flames in California," 17 Dec. 2018 Villa Carlotta played home to a host of Hollywood icons including David O. Selznick, Marion Davies, Montgomery Clift, and gossip columnist Louella Parsons, whose write-ups were delivered to a courier from her apartment window. — Rachel Marlowe, Vogue, "3 Newly Renovated Historic Hotels Celebrate L.A.’s Eclectic Past," 21 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'courier.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.