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

Over the past year, these criminal groups allegedly smuggled a tonne of gold while recruiting couriers on commercial flights. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Audiences first saw the chaos in 2002's 28 Days Later, which starred Murphy as a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma amid the outbreak. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

The transportation and warehousing sector, which includes employees in subsectors like trucking and couriers, has seen an increase in employees since last November, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

Cash couriers were hired through advertisements in group chats, with people putting in bids for each of the handovers, Sasikumar says. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 4 Dec. 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