courier

American  

[kur-ee-er, koor-] / ˈkɜr i ər, ˈkʊər- /

noun

1. a messenger, usually traveling in haste, bearing urgent news, important reports or packages, diplomatic messages, etc.

2. any means of carrying news, messages, etc., regularly.

3. the conveyance used by a courier, as an airplane or ship.

4. Chiefly British. a tour guide for a travel agency.

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courier British  

/ ˈkʊərɪə /

noun

1. a special messenger, esp one carrying diplomatic correspondence

2. a person who makes arrangements for or accompanies a group of travellers on a journey or tour

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verb

1. (tr) to send (a parcel, letter, etc) by courier

Etymology

Origin of courier

1350–1400; < Middle French cour ( r ) ier < Italian corriere, equivalent to corr ( ere ) to run (< Latin currere ) + -iere < Latin -ārius -ary; replacing Middle English corour < Anglo-French cor ( i ) our, Old French coreor < Late Latin curritor runner; current, -tor

Example Sentences

Instead of sending couriers to individual homes, companies can deliver thousands of packages to a dense network of retail pickup points.

From Barron's

In a way they posed a fresh danger as they passed workers and couriers from other underground groups coming and going on the narrow stairs.

From Literature

During the day, telephone calls are meant for business: banks and couriers and department stores and the post office.

From Literature

Speaking to the London Assembly, the City of London Police said some 40% of fraud victims nationally are in the capital, with the Met Police suggesting this includes 60% of all courier fraud cases..

From BBC

They hold moisture, yes — but they also carry spice into the interior like a well-trained courier.

From Salon