convey

verb

con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
conveyed; conveying

transitive verb

1
a
: to bear from one place to another
especially : to move in a continuous stream or mass
b
: to impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance
struggling to convey his feelings
c
: to transfer or deliver (something, such as property) to another especially by a sealed writing
d
: to cause to pass from one place or person to another
convey a message
e(1)
archaic : steal
(2)
obsolete : to carry away secretly
2
obsolete : lead, conduct

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 Letters1990
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 on the Web In a celebratory locker room, Kings players were reluctant to say who spoke and what messages were conveyed during the meeting. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 Composed in 1947, the work has an impressionistic, ethereal quality that requires a highly skilled choir to fully convey its glories. Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 In addition, new perimeter fencing will be erected in several areas, and new signage will be mounted to convey the fact that the entire campus is protected by robust security camera coverage. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 29 Feb. 2024 The order conveyed the sense that the court was not inclined to treat the case as exceptional, foreshadowing Wednesday’s development. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 What Role Did Beads Play in Ancient Life? Like pottery, beads held more significance beyond conveying a sense of self, identity, and status. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Emotional intelligence: Humans understand other people’s feelings (empathy) and how to convey emotions, which are integral to effective storytelling. Brent Dykes, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The British automaker, known for two-seat convertibles with a high coolness quotient, serves this vehicle up with scissor doors and rear haunches that convey power. James Brooks and Jamey Keaten, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 Seeing the faces and hearing the voices of front-line employees and managers provides an emotional connection—and conveys some celebrity status to people who certainly deserve it. Elizabeth Baskin, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of convey was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near convey

Cite this Entry

“Convey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convey. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

convey

verb
con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
conveyed; conveying
1
: to carry from one place to another : transport
2
: to serve as a way of carrying
pipes convey water
3
: to make known : communicate
using words to convey ideas

Legal Definition

convey

transitive verb
con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
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 houseR. H. Jensen
compare alienate, devise, donate, give, grant, sell
conveyee
kən-ˌvā-ˈē
noun
conveyor
kən-ˈvā-ər
noun

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