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)
escorted; escorting; escorts
: to accompany as an escort
Synonyms
Examples of escort in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Verb
Several fighters escorted the bombers back to base.
a student from the college escorted my parents and me on our tour of the campus
Recent Examples on the Web
Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Based on the 1990 rom-com that launched Julia Roberts’ career, this up-tempo musical tells the love story of a cynical businessman and the free-spirited escort who rescues him right back.
—Joey Morona, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
The main purpose of the escort is to get the pilot of the plane to heed radio communications to safely leave the restricted airspace, Hejduk said.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023
Once shipments of grains and a variety of other commodities reached the Irish market towns, under the eyes of the hungry populace, they were often guarded by military escorts until they were safely shipped out of the country.
—Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023
The police directed her to a disaster assistance center, saying Federal Emergency Management Agency staff there might arrange an escort.
—Karin Brulliard and Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2023
On the flight back to Osan Air Base in South Korea, the C-17 was met at the border and accompanied by a ceremonial escort of F-16 fighter jets.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 26 July 2023
Advertisement There’s not much lodging on the north end of Catalina where the race starts, so most of the competitors sleep on their escort boats — everyone is required to have one for safety — or in campgrounds onshore.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
On Saturday, a day after receiving questions from The Washington Post, a Maui County spokesperson said the administration was planning to have the Hawaii National Guard escort members of Maui Humane Society into the burn zone on that afternoon.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
Overseas travelers were often hired by the agencies to escort the babies to their new families at a low cost.
—Choe Sang-Hun, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
Officials escorted Allgood onto the tarmac to retrieve Maia, who, though still shaken, was safe.
—David Begnaud, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
The theater didn’t name Boebert, but a spokesperson said Wednesday that the video — which showed Boebert and a guest being escorted out of the venue — was of guests who were kicked out after audience members accused them of vaping, singing, using phones and causing a disturbance.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
As well as stimulating lymphatic drainage, which helps to escort toxins out of the body, dry brushing is supposed to be great for removing dead skin cells, boosting circulation and reducing puffiness and water retention.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
At dusk, we were escorted to the front of the stage, drinks in hand, and fully enveloped ourselves in the star attractions of the night: Janelle Monae and Lamar.
—Barry Samaha, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023
The jet escorted it to a nearby airport, the statement said.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2023
Some stars, including Selena Gomez, looked confused at the sight after an off-stage handler escorted Rodrigo off the stage.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023
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Noun
Dupré, who was 23 at the time, turned out to be the escort hired through the service and became the subject of national scrutiny.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
Based on the 1990 rom-com that launched Julia Roberts’ career, this up-tempo musical tells the love story of a cynical businessman and the free-spirited escort who rescues him right back.
—Joey Morona, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
The main purpose of the escort is to get the pilot of the plane to heed radio communications to safely leave the restricted airspace, Hejduk said.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023
Once shipments of grains and a variety of other commodities reached the Irish market towns, under the eyes of the hungry populace, they were often guarded by military escorts until they were safely shipped out of the country.
—Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023
The police directed her to a disaster assistance center, saying Federal Emergency Management Agency staff there might arrange an escort.
—Karin Brulliard and Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Aug. 2023
On the flight back to Osan Air Base in South Korea, the C-17 was met at the border and accompanied by a ceremonial escort of F-16 fighter jets.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 26 July 2023
Advertisement There’s not much lodging on the north end of Catalina where the race starts, so most of the competitors sleep on their escort boats — everyone is required to have one for safety — or in campgrounds onshore.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023
On Saturday, a day after receiving questions from The Washington Post, a Maui County spokesperson said the administration was planning to have the Hawaii National Guard escort members of Maui Humane Society into the burn zone on that afternoon.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2023
Verb
The royal couple was escorted by owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard to the wine cellars and then out to the vineyard.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
Overseas travelers were often hired by the agencies to escort the babies to their new families at a low cost.
—Choe Sang-Hun, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
Officials escorted Allgood onto the tarmac to retrieve Maia, who, though still shaken, was safe.
—David Begnaud, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023
The theater didn’t name Boebert, but a spokesperson said Wednesday that the video — which showed Boebert and a guest being escorted out of the venue — was of guests who were kicked out after audience members accused them of vaping, singing, using phones and causing a disturbance.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
As well as stimulating lymphatic drainage, which helps to escort toxins out of the body, dry brushing is supposed to be great for removing dead skin cells, boosting circulation and reducing puffiness and water retention.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
At dusk, we were escorted to the front of the stage, drinks in hand, and fully enveloped ourselves in the star attractions of the night: Janelle Monae and Lamar.
—Barry Samaha, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2023
The jet escorted it to a nearby airport, the statement said.
—Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2023
Some stars, including Selena Gomez, looked confused at the sight after an off-stage handler escorted Rodrigo off the stage.
—Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'escort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
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
First Known Use
Noun
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
1708, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing escort
Dictionary Entries Near escort
Cite this Entry
“Escort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/escort. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
escort
1 of 2 noun
es·cort
ˈes-ˌkȯ(ə)rt 
1
: a person or group of persons accompanying another to give protection or show courtesy
2
: the man who goes on a date with a woman
3
: a protective screen of vehicles, warships, or planes
motorcycle escort
fighter escort
escort
2 of 2 verb
es·cort
is-ˈkȯ(ə)rt
es-ˈ
es-ˈ
ˈes-ˌ
: to go along with as an escort
More from Merriam-Webster on escort
Nglish: Translation of escort for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of escort for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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