A courier is a person or service that delivers packages, documents, or messages from one place to another, usually quickly and reliably. Unlike regular mail that might take days and stop at many locations, a courier often provides direct delivery, taking something straight from the sender to the recipient.

Companies use couriers to deliver important contracts that need signatures right away. Hospitals use couriers to transport lab samples or medical supplies between buildings. Your family might use a courier service to send a birthday gift across the country when you need it to arrive by a specific date.

The word comes from the Italian corriere, meaning “runner,” because early couriers literally ran on foot to deliver urgent messages between cities. For centuries, couriers carried royal letters, military orders, and diplomatic messages, often racing against time. Today's couriers might use bicycles, motorcycles, vans, or even airplanes, but the core idea remains the same: fast, direct, dependable delivery of something important. When speed and security matter more than saving money on postage, people choose a courier.