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 of envoy

• ambassador
• delegate
• representative
• minister

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

Last month, Israel’s Foreign Ministry appointed former Ambassador George Deek to be the special envoy to the Christian world, in response to the incidents. —Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov will meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami today to try to revive efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, which have been sidelined by the war in Iran. —Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

Elsewhere, China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire Wednesday after meeting in Beijing with Iran’s top envoy. —Josh Boak, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Negotiations continued by phone after Trump called off his envoys’ trip to Pakistan last week, the president said. —ABC News, 2 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1653, 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