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
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
This is generally courier shipments and e-commerce.
—
Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The Los Angeles Times reported that the layoffs sparked a chaotic scene, with employees called into meetings with the human resources department the morning of May 15 only to be sent home jobless, with their belongings sent after them via courier.
—News Desk, Artforum, 21 May 2025
In July 1971, Dr. Garwin had drafts of the final report delivered by a special class of courier to members of his team.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courier
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Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Purchasing via a lottery courier has two advantages for the customer, said Victor Matheson, professor of economics at College of the Holy Cross.
—Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
The Los Angeles Times reported that the layoffs sparked a chaotic scene, with employees called into meetings with the human resources department the morning of May 15 only to be sent home jobless, with their belongings sent after them via courier.
—News Desk, Artforum, 21 May 2025
In July 1971, Dr. Garwin had drafts of the final report delivered by a special class of courier to members of his team.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courier
Cite this Entry
“Courier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courier. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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