errand

noun

Save Word

er·rand | \ ˈer-ənd

, ˈe-rənd \

Definition of errand

1a : 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 With a growing number of two-car households and two-car garages, pickups could work as a second errand-runner next to the family sedan or wagon, said Carlson. — Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 25 May 2021 Office life may be a culture shock for people now accustomed to running an errand or going for a walk in the middle of the day. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2021 Maybe this is a prime opportunity for your housemates to run an errand. — Fortesa Latifi, SELF, 13 Apr. 2021 The 5-7kw range is enough to be expensive, but not enough to give meaningful power during a short errand. — Brad Templeton, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2021 The stresses and humiliations complicating what should be a simple errand pile up, pushing him toward a potentially tragic outcome. — Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2021 Ajay and Marie leave on a mysterious errand, and Charles then is able to question Nadine. — Jean Bentley, refinery29.com, 6 Apr. 2021 The Baker Street Irregulars were the street-urchin army of Sherlock Holmes—intelligence agents, errand-runners and the detective’s devoted division of the ragged and filthy. — John Anderson, WSJ, 25 Mar. 2021 Someone may reach out a hand in friendship by inviting you along on an errand or local gathering. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 7 Mar. 2021

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