envoy

noun

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a minister plenipotentiary accredited to a foreign government who ranks between an ambassador and a minister resident

called also envoy extraordinary

b

: a person delegated to represent one government in its dealings with another

2

: messenger, representative

Synonyms

• agent
• ambassador
• delegate
• emissary
• legate
• minister
• representative

Examples of envoy in a Sentence

the president sent the secretary of state as his personal envoy to gain the support of the country's allies

one of the hostage takers was chosen as the group's envoy for all dealings with the authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

Netanyahu met with the U.S. president's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. —Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 12 May 2025

This position was endorsed on Sunday by Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Earlier today, Adam Boehler, Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, flew to Israel with Alexander’s mother in advance of her son’s release. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 12 May 2025

President Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed late Sunday in a message to AP that the militant group had agreed to release Alexander as a goodwill gesture toward Trump. —Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French envoyé, from past participle of envoyer to send, from Old French enveier

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

envoy

noun

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a diplomatic representative who ranks between an ambassador and a minister

b

: a representative sent by one government to another

ambassadors and other envoys

2

: representative entry 2 sense 2, messenger