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

• bootlegger
• contrabandist
• runner
• 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

Drivers and couriers often use these services as side jobs due to unreliable payment speeds. —Oleg Chanchikov, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The plan appears to have targeted cargo planes and is linked to two fires—one that broke out at a courier facility in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

After collecting ballots from a drop box, election officials will secure them in a ballot courier bag. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024

Williams said her agent received the postcard, via courier, from Trump. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024

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

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