convey

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verb con·vey \kən-ˈvā\

Definition of convey

conveyed

;

conveying

transitive verb
1 obsolete : lead, conduct
2a : to bear from one place to another; especially : to move in a continuous stream or massb : to impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance struggling to convey his feelingsc (1) archaic : steal (2) obsolete : to carry away secretlyd : to transfer or deliver (something, such as property) to another especially by a sealed writinge : to cause to pass from one place or person to another convey a message

See convey defined for English-language learners

See convey defined for kids

Examples of convey in a Sentence

To convey sympathy to a bereaved parent by telephone struck him as maladroit … —P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
… he conveys so much kindliness and benign authority that he is probably forgiven each time he directs a tuna-fish shopper into the thick of the English muffins. —Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 22 June 1992
Robyn was well aware that clothes do not merely serve the practical purpose of covering our bodies, but also convey messages about who we are, what we are doing, and how we feel. —David Lodge, Nice Work, 1990
… please convey to Mr. & Mrs. Langdon my love &respectful duty. —Mark Twain, 28 Nov. 1868, in Mark Twain's Letters, 1990
The singer was conveyed from her hotel to the airport by limousine.
They conveyed the goods by ship.
The pipes convey water to the fields.
The message conveyed a sense of urgency.
He conveyed the estate to his son.

Recent Examples of convey from the Web

The delegation of bankers and politicians aimed to convey to Congress that, without amendments, the draft regulations would damage their economy and even the overall stability of the country.

— chicagotribune.com, "Lebanese lawmakers lobbied U.S. officials to soften Hezbollah sanctions", 2 June 2017
The U.S. dropped leaflets warning the forces to leave the area and American military officials said the same message was conveyed in recent calls with Russian commanders.

— Washington Post, "US starts giving arms to Syrian Kurds ahead of Raqqa assault", 30 May 2017
But the administration has also struggled to get on the same page, or to convey a structured policy.

— j. weston phippen, The Atlantic, "North Korea Launches a Missile Into the Sea of Japan", 28 May 2017
That experience gives Thompson a point of reference and a wealth of knowledge to convey to his team this week as the Tigers await their seeding.

— tom green, AL.com, "Auburn baseball awaits NCAA Regional destination", 28 May 2017
Instead, Tóibín focuses his energy on conveying the characters’ emotions with blistering — and believable — intensity.

— erin saxon, kansascity, "Greeks bearing grudges come to blistering life in ‘House of Names’", 27 May 2017
The State Department’s decision was conveyed in an email Thursday to the private agencies in countries around the world that help refugees manage the nearly two-year application process needed to enter the United States.

— gardiner harris, The Seattle Times, "U.S. lifts limit on number of refugees allowed", 26 May 2017
Ms. Bergstein wanted a setting that conveyed the grandeur that Catskill resorts were known for in the middle of the last century, and the Mountain Lake Lodge certainly did that.

— neil genzlinger, New York Times, "‘Dirty Dancing’: Where Kellerman’s Came to Life", 26 May 2017
But forecasts still come with a margin of error, conveyed as a percentage of probability, that usually gets overlooked with the focus on the cone of uncertainty.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Atlantic hurricane season starts Thursday. Be glad it’s not 1992", 26 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convey'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of convey

Middle English, from Anglo-French conveer to accompany, escort, from Vulgar Latin *conviare, from Latin com- + via way — more at way

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

CONVEY Defined for English Language Learners

convey

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verb

Definition of convey for English Language Learners

: to take or carry (someone or something) from one place to another
: to make (something) known to someone
law : to change the ownership of (property) from one person to another

CONVEY Defined for Kids

convey

play

verb con·vey \kən-ˈvā\

Definition of convey for Students

conveyed

;

conveying

1 : to carry from one place to another : transport Pipes convey water. Travelers were conveyed to the airport by shuttle.
2 : to make known : communicate We use words to convey our thoughts.

Law Dictionary

convey

play

transitive verb con·vey \kən-ˈvā\

Legal Definition of convey

conveyed

conveying

: to transfer or transmit (property or property rights) to another especially by a writing (as a deed or will) agreed to convey to the estate his Manhattan town house — R. H. Jensen — compare alienate, devise, donate, give, grant, sell