courier

noun

cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər 

ˈkər-ē-,

ˈkə-rē-

1

: messenger: such as

a

: a member of a diplomatic (see diplomatic sense 2) service entrusted with bearing messages

b(1)

: an espionage agent transferring secret information

(2)

: a runner of contraband (see contraband sense 2)

drug couriers

c

: a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies

2

: a traveler's paid attendant

especially : a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency

Synonyms

• smuggler

Examples of courier in a Sentence

Police recently arrested a drug courier in our neighborhood.

A courier just left a package for you on the porch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those looking for an alternative to using Japan Post can use Japan's international courier service, U-Global Express or UGX, for shipments in compliance with U.S. customs regulations. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Court records show the package was later picked up at the victims' home by an unknown courier who pulled up in a dark blue or black Audi sedan. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The next talks between the national courier and the union will take place Wednesday. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 19 Aug. 2025

Questions were asked about the following sectors: well-being, personal care and beauty, financial and legal services, retail, technology, sports and exercise, entertainment, leisure and hospitality, household goods and services and couriers, delivery and postal services. —Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French corier, courrier, borrowed from Italian corriere, from correre "to run" (going back to Latin currere) + -iere -ier — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing courier

• vaunt-courier

Rhymes for courier

• furrier
• spurrier

Kids Definition

courier

noun

cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər 

ˈkər-ē-,

ˈkə-rē-

: a messenger especially in the diplomatic service

Etymology

Middle English courrier "a person who carries (runs) messages from one place to another quickly," from early Italian corriere (same meaning), derived from Latin currere "to run" — related to current