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

Khamenei worked as Khomeini’s courier, spending several stints in prison for his activism. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Mar. 2026

Using her broom, Kiki sets up a flying courier service that quickly becomes a hit. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

Administrative and support services firms lost nearly 19,000 jobs and courier and messenger services almost 17,000. —Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Administrative and support services firms cut nearly 19,000 jobs and courier and messenger services almost 17,000. —Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 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