errand

noun

er·​rand ˈer-ənd How to pronounce errand (audio)
ˈe-rənd
Synonyms of errand
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
b
: embassy, mission

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.
The Sun conjoins Mercury in Virgo and your 3rd House of Communication, sharpening texts, calls, emails, errands, sibling dynamics, and daily logistics. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors allege that Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband out to do errands and then strangling the children to death with exercise bands while he was gone. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 As Freeman said, comparing freshman seasons is a fool’s errand. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The battery, while looking fairly compact, easily handled dozens of miles without needing a recharge, which means several days of typical errands. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing errand

Rhymes for errand

See All Rhymes for errand

Browse Nearby Words

errancy
errand
errand boy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Errand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/errand. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on errand

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for errand

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