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

• bootlegger
• contrabandist
• runner
• 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

All the food is cooked by chefs at a central kitchen about 10 minutes away, delivered hourly by a bicycle courier, and heated by a robot. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

Other payout methods available include bank wire transfers, vouchers, and checks by courier, which may take 24-48 hours to process. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

At least one British courier served in the organization. —Eliza McGraw, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024

Though online ordering was introduced in the mid-2000’s, innovation and implementation of technologies from robot couriers to in-app ordering were fast-tracked or expanded because of the pandemic, which saw a massive decline in employment in the retail and restaurant sectors. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024

Envelopes stuffed with cash were routinely sent by courier to girlfriends and parents, to avoid a direct paper trail to the players. —Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024

Food couriers continue to deliver, cycling along empty streets. —Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

The agreement marks a turning point in the EU’s years-long efforts to set clearer employment rights for millions of delivery couriers and drivers who get work from online platforms, such as those offered by Uber Technologies Inc. and Deliveroo Plc. —Max Ramsay, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024

Around noon Wednesday, the woman gave the money to the courier, who then left the area, the sheriff’s office said. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024

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

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