courier

noun

cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər How to pronounce courier (audio)
ˈkər-ē-, 
ˈkə-rē-
Synonyms of courier
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 of courier

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Culture travels further than any courier shipping Solar Buddies worldwide. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The story takes place in the present day and focuses on a young medical courier, Bryan, who is an original character made for the film. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026 According to prosecutors, Gelacio had met up with a drug courier while docked in Ecuador, and agreed to transport the cocaine to a drug cartel in Mexico while en route to California. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Following their instructions, my father went to his bank, wired $300,000 to a nearby coin dealer, purchased gold, and handed it to a courier sent to his home. — Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for courier

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of courier was in 1579

Phrases Containing courier

Rhymes for courier

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Browse Nearby Words

courie
courier
courlan
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Cite this Entry

“Courier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courier. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courier

noun
cou·​ri·​er ˈku̇r-ē-ər How to pronounce courier (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on courier

Nglish: Translation of courier for Spanish Speakers

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