errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd 

ˈe-rənd

1

a

: a short trip taken to attend to some business often for another

was on an errand for his mother

b

: the object or purpose of such a trip

2

archaic

a

: an oral message entrusted to a person

b

: embassy, mission

Examples of errand in a Sentence

He was sent out on an urgent errand.

We were there on an errand of mercy to help provide medical care for the refugees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even during the Holocaust, Henrietta said her mother would run errands for people in the ghetto, risking the Germans seeing her. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

In his own request for a restraining order filed in December 2025, McKinsey alleged that his wife was the one who regularly left the children home alone to run errands or work out. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Barb McKitts, the founder of Edit & Organize in Charlotte, North Carolina, suggests spending some time on Sunday to empty your vehicle of any sports gear, supplies from errands, and the like, which may have accumulated there over the past few days. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026

For Roman, life these days means taking care of her toddler, running errands, hosting friends, and getting everything ready for her new shop in Brooklyn Heights. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erend message, business, from Old English ǣrend; akin to Old High German ārunti message

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing errand

• errand boy
• fool's errand

Rhymes for errand

• gerund

Kids Definition

errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd 

: a short trip taken to do or get something especially for someone else

also : the object or purpose of such a trip