✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

convoy

1 of 2

verb

convoyed; convoying; convoys
Synonyms of convoynext

transitive verb

: accompany
especially : to escort for protection

convoy

2 of 2

noun

con·​voy ˈkän-ˌvȯi How to pronounce convoy (audio)
1
: one that convoys
especially : a protective escort (as for ships)
2
: the act of convoying
3
: a group convoyed or organized for convenience or protection in moving

Examples of convoy in a Sentence

Verb The tankers were convoyed by warships. Police and FBI agents convoyed the President to the White House. Noun a long convoy of trucks The President always travels in a convoy.
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.
Verb
After the 41-3 loss to Iowa, the Minnesota football team had plenty of time to stew, reflect and even watch film on a group of coach busses convoying north without the company of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025 Harris says the association is working with federal agencies and the Mexican government to convoy across the border and distribute supplies around Tijuana and in Mexican shelters next week. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2023
Noun
On Monday morning, well-wishers, many wearing rain-coats, lined the roads behind a metal railing under drizzly skies as his convoy made its way through the winding roads near Beirut to the mountain-top tomb of a 19th century hermit now recognized as Saint Charbel Makhlouf. NPR, 1 Dec. 2025 The group also urged its supporters to line up along the road the papal convoy will take from the airport to the presidential palace to pay their respects. CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convoy

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French convoier, from Old French conveier, from Vulgar Latin *conviare — more at convey

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convoy. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

convoy

1 of 2 verb
: to go with to protect

convoy

2 of 2 noun
con·​voy ˈkän-ˌvȯi How to pronounce convoy (audio)
1
: one that convoys
2
: the act of convoying
3
: a group convoyed

More from Merriam-Webster on convoy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!