errand
noun
er·rand ˈer-ənd 
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
b
: embassy, mission
Example Sentences
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 Avoid the stress and enjoy yourself, but offer to do some of the heavy lifting or run an errand if necessary. 
Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2022 On their way back, Mr. Pereira had an errand to run. New York Times, 1 July 2022 On April 25, 1988, Marsha left her office at the Underground Railroad to run an errand with one of her dealer connections. Karen Zelermyer, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2022 Yet for the most part, all the nuisances of biking still crop up: hot or cold or wet weather, needing to transport something heavy or awkward, taking on another errand during the day that requires a drive, and so forth. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 Shootings at grocery stores are occurring more often, twisting an unremarkable errand into an unforgettable nightmare. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 But to play amateur shrink—or worse, amateur judge—is a fool’s errand at best and cruel at worst. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Aug. 2022 Their work revealed that a quick errand can be dangerous for a kid left behind in the car — even for less than 15 minutes, even with the windows cracked, and even on a mild day. Emmarie Huetteman, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2022 Their work revealed that a quick errand can be dangerous for a kid left behind in the car — even for less than 15 minutes, even with the windows cracked, and even on a mild day. Emmarie Huetteman, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2022 On their way back, Mr. Pereira had an errand to run. New York Times, 1 July 2022 On April 25, 1988, Marsha left her office at the Underground Railroad to run an errand with one of her dealer connections. Karen Zelermyer, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2022 Yet for the most part, all the nuisances of biking still crop up: hot or cold or wet weather, needing to transport something heavy or awkward, taking on another errand during the day that requires a drive, and so forth. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 Shootings at grocery stores are occurring more often, twisting an unremarkable errand into an unforgettable nightmare. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 But to play amateur shrink—or worse, amateur judge—is a fool’s errand at best and cruel at worst. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 13 Aug. 2022 Their work revealed that a quick errand can be dangerous for a kid left behind in the car — even for less than 15 minutes, even with the windows cracked, and even on a mild day. Emmarie Huetteman, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2022 Their work revealed that a quick errand can be dangerous for a kid left behind in the car — even for less than 15 minutes, even with the windows cracked, and even on a mild day. Emmarie Huetteman, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing errand
Kids Definition
errand
noun
er·rand ˈer-ənd
1
: a short trip made to do or get something
2
: the purpose of a short trip
My errand was to get milk.
errands
noun
as in trips
an act of traveling a short way to do or get something He was sent out on an urgent errand. Synonyms & Similar Words
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