errand

American  

[er-uhnd] / ˈɛr ənd /

noun

1. a short and quick trip to accomplish a specific purpose, as to buy something, deliver a package, or convey a message, often for someone else.

   Synonyms:

   chore, assignment, task, mission

2. the purpose of such a trip.

   He finished his errands.

   Synonyms:

   chore, assignment, task, mission

3. a special mission or function entrusted to a messenger; commission.

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errand British  

/ ˈɛrənd /

noun

1. a short trip undertaken to perform a necessary task or commission (esp in the phrase run errands )

2. the purpose or object of such a trip

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errand Idioms  

1. see fool's errand; run an errand.

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Etymology

Origin of errand

First recorded before 900; Middle English erande, Old English ærende; cognate with Old High German āruntī; compare Old English ār “messenger,” Gothic airus; not related to err ( def. ), errant ( def. )

Example Sentences

But you could suggest accompanying them to run errands.

From MarketWatch

She’d often told me she couldn’t manage without me to run errands up and down the steep stairs.

From Literature

But the threat of Tansy’s errand after school hung heavy on me, whatever it was.

From Literature

He fell asleep watching the silent green boughs of the First Tree, while Wolf sped out of the cave on some mysterious errand of his own.

From Literature

She cranes her neck a few times looking for Theo, the person who sent her on this errand to begin with, before finally appearing to give up, settling back into her chair.

From Literature