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

Meanwhile, assistance with “hands-off” tasks such as cooking, cleaning and running errands had an annual median cost of $75,504, the survey found.

From MarketWatch

Erikson referred to most of the investigations he undertook not as “studies” but “research errands,” to indicate that he hadn’t embedded in those communities for nearly as long as he had in Buffalo Creek.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Well…hey. I have to run some errands. Want me to pick you up something for lunch?”

From Literature

December is a time of nonstop errands: shopping for gifts, planning holiday travel and meals, and trying to beat year-end deadlines.

From MarketWatch

On a normal cruise out of Florida, finding a free chair with a view of the ocean can be a fool’s errand, unless you’re willing to get up at daybreak.

From The Wall Street Journal