errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd How to pronounce errand (audio)
ˈe-rənd
1
a
: a short trip taken to attend to some business often for another
was on an errand for his mother
b
: the object or purpose of such a trip
2
archaic
a
: an oral message entrusted to a person

Examples of errand in a Sentence

He was sent out on an urgent errand. We were there on an errand of mercy to help provide medical care for the refugees.
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.
He was spotted out running errands in Malibu that same month, not long after winning a Daytime Emmy and watching his birthday special win a Creative Arts Emmy Award. Raven Brunner, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Business: Planning to run errands on this Election Day? Elissa Robinson, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024 Eagle-eyed paparazzi recently spotted new dad Tom Ackerley running some very telling errands near their home. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2024 The 44-year-old supermodel was photographed running errands in Miami, Florida on Thursday, October 31. Alex Gonzalez, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for errand 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English erend message, business, from Old English ǣrend; akin to Old High German ārunti message

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of errand was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near errand

Cite this Entry

“Errand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/errand. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

errand

noun
er·​rand ˈer-ənd How to pronounce errand (audio)
: a short trip taken to do or get something especially for someone else
also : the object or purpose of such a trip
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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