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

In the 1990s, Nigerian rings often trafficked drugs from Southeast Asia to Chicago via couriers, according to the Justice Department. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

The Times interviewed the courier, who asked not to be named for his safety. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Most government seizures are made through mail and express-courier services, rather than through shipping containers, and many of the shipments originate in China and Hong Kong. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Qure Shipping Policy Qure currently ships worldwide, and packages are shipped via FedEx, USPS, or DHL courier with standard shipping services. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 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