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

For another, trying to seriously guess who will and will not be on the board by the late first round is a fool’s errand. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026

Sometimes, the requests are bigger than an errand. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 26 Feb. 2026

How to Use This Guide While attempting to catalog every possible Day-Date configuration from the past 70 years would be a fool’s errand, examining significant references from each generation is eminently doable. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026

The clean and cool outfit is great for an office-to-errands schedule. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 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