escort

noun es·cort \ ˈe-ˌskȯrt \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of escort

1 a (1) : a person or group of persons accompanying another to give protection or as a courtesy

(2) : a man who goes with a woman to a social event

(3) : a woman or a man who is hired to go with someone to a social event —often used before another noun

an escort service/agency

b : a protective screen of warships or fighter planes or a single ship or plane used to fend off enemy attack from one or more vulnerable craft

2 : accompaniment by a person or an armed protector (such as a ship)

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Examples of escort in a Sentence

Visitors are not allowed to enter the building without an escort.
The bombers were protected by a fighter escort.
Everyone was surprised when she arrived at the party without an escort.

Recent Examples of escort from the Web

In the era of today's #MeToo movement, The New York Times reported last week that some Washington Redskins cheerleaders said they were used as escorts and had to pose topless during a trip to Costa Rica that included team boosters.

— byron mccauley, Cincinnati.com, "Let's look beyond the shimmy and the shake of cheerleaders," 7 May 2018
More Red Wings: The incident led to Smith being abused on social media, to the extent, the report said, the Rangers needed a police escort from the Soo airport to their hotel and from the hotel to the arena.

— helene st. james, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Red Wings prospect Givani Smith a victim of racism," 6 May 2018
Cheerleaders for the Washington Redskins, for example, were asked to pose topless during a beachside photo shoot while invited male sponsors looked on, and later served as escorts for the men at a nightclub.

— New York Times, "N.F.L. Agrees to Meet Cheerleaders’ Lawyer, but Doesn’t Accept Settlement Proposal," 4 May 2018
Former Washington Redskins cheerleaders pushed back Friday against explosive allegations in which fellow squad members said they were required to pose topless or pressured to serve as escorts during a racy trip to Costa Rica in 2013.

— NBC News, "Ex-Washington Redskins cheerleaders defend team, deny 'pimping' situation during Costa Rica trip," 4 May 2018
The New York Times reported the cheerleaders had their passports collected, were forced to be topless for a calendar photo shoot that included male spectators and were asked to be escorts for sponsors at a nightclub.

— baltimoresun.com, "Digest: Wizards quietly gave president Ernie Grunfeld extension," 4 May 2018
The women allege that in a separate situation they were also forced to act as escorts for some of the male sponsors.

— sydney scott, Essence.com, "The Quick Read: Men Arrested At Starbucks Settle For $1 Each And $200K Young Entrepreneur Program," 3 May 2018
After a 14-hour day of photos and dance practice, nine cheerleaders were chosen to serve as personal escorts for the sponsors and suite holders at a nightclub.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Former Redskins cheerleaders say team brass let VIPs watch them posing topless at photo shoot," 3 May 2018
The injury looked so bad that after the game, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was given a police escort to the hospital to check on Shazier’s status.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Pittsburgh Steelers Pay Injured Linebacker Full Salary for 2018," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'escort.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of escort

Middle French escorte, from Italian scorta, from scorgere to guide, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigere, from Latin ex- + corrigere to make straight, correct — more at correct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1579

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year