Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

vancourier

noun
van·​courier | \(ˈ)van + pronunciation at courier\

Definition of vancourier 

: a scout or herald sent in advance : forerunner, precursor

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for vancourier

modification (influenced by courier) of Middle French avant-coureur, from avant- fore- + coureur runner, from Old French courre to run + -eur -or

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about vancourier

Share vancourier

Statistics for vancourier

Look-up Popularity

Comments on vancourier

What made you want to look up vancourier? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

noisome

noxious or harmful

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Thanksgiving Word Quiz

  • a-traditional-thanksgiving-dinner
  • November comes from a word for which of the following numbers?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games