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

Social shopping, the practice of treating stores and malls as gathering spots rather than errands, is quietly reshaping how young Americans spend their weekends, their money and their friendships. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

And coming back with a movie that has anywhere near the impact of No Way Home’s untoppable uniting of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Holland would seem a fool’s errand. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Then, at the end of the day, Bomgren makes a point to do active errands around the house before her kids get home. — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 27 July 2026

The store visit is both the errand and the content, and designing for one without the other now looks like leaving money on the table. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 27 July 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