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

Wang said China’s special envoy is shuttling between the two countries in an effort to promote restraint and encourage a ceasefire. —ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026

Italian media reported that Rodriguez, who traveled to Rome as a special envoy of Cubans leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, asked Pope Leo to mediate in talks with the United States. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

On Thursday, China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong arrived in Islamabad for talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Sadiq, following a visit to Kabul. —Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

The administration’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff nonetheless claimed on March 3, after the start of the current war, that Iran had the capability to make 11 nuclear bombs. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 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