What does courier mean?
A courier is a person or business entrusted with carrying messages, documents, or packages from one place to another, usually quickly and securely. Historically, couriers were swift messengers serving governments and royal courts, and the term survives in contexts such as diplomatic couriers, who transport sensitive official material under special protection. Today the word is most often encountered in commerce: courier services collect and deliver parcels, and people routinely say they will send something 'by courier' when ordinary post seems too slow or unreliable. In British English the word has an additional travel meaning, referring to the representative who accompanies a group of tourists and manages their itinerary. The word carries connotations of speed, reliability, and trusted handling, which is why businesses rely on it when timing matters. Related words such as 'course', 'current', and 'corridor' share its Latin root, all tracing back to the idea of running or flowing onward.
A person or company engaged in carrying and delivering messages, documents, or packages; also, chiefly in British usage, a guide who accompanies travellers on an organized tour.
"A courier arrived at the office with a sealed envelope from headquarters."
When capitalized as 'the Courier', the word is frequently used as the name of newspapers.
To send something by courier rather than by ordinary mail.
"We'll courier the samples across town so you have them this afternoon."
This transitive use ('to courier something') is well established in both British and American business English.
The standard plural applies to both individual messengers and members of a courier firm's staff; the plural may also denote several delivery companies.
"During the holidays, couriers work around the clock to deliver gifts on time."
Before emails and overnight shipping, kings relied on couriers who could outrun the news itself — the word literally descends from the Latin 'to run.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of courier
Courier entered English in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century from French 'courrier', which was borrowed from Italian 'corriere'. Both ultimately derive from the Latin verb 'currere', meaning 'to run', reflecting the word's origin in fast-moving messengers. This same root gives English cognates such as 'course', 'current', 'corridor', and 'cursive'.
How courier is actually used
In everyday modern usage 'courier' most often refers to a delivery company or its driver rather than an individual message-bearer; British English additionally uses it for the guide who looks after holidaymakers on coach tours. The verb 'to courier' (e.g. 'I'll courier it over') is common in business speech in both the UK and US.
Easily confused with courier
A currier is a craftsman who treats and finishes leather, whereas a courier is someone who carries and delivers messages or parcels.