convoy

American  

[kon-voi, kuhn-voi, kon-voi] / ˈkɒn vɔɪ, kənˈvɔɪ, ˈkɒn vɔɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to accompany or escort, usually for protection.

   A destroyer convoyed the merchant ship.

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noun

1. the act of convoying.

2. the protection provided by an escort.

3. a ship, fleet, group of vehicles, etc., accompanied by a protecting escort.

4. an armed force, warship, etc., that escorts, especially for protection.

5. any group of military vehicles traveling together under the same orders.

6. Citizens Band Radio Slang. two or more CB-equipped vehicles traveling together.

convoy British  

/ ˈkɒnvɔɪ /

noun

1. a group of merchant ships with an escort of warships

2. a group of land vehicles assembled to travel together

3. the act of travelling or escorting by convoy (esp in the phrase in convoy )

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verb

1. (tr) to escort while in transit

Related Words

See accompany.

Other Word Forms

• unconvoyed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of convoy

1325–75; Middle English convoyen < Middle French convoier, Anglo-French conveier to convey

Explanation

To travel in a convoy is to be escorted by a group of protective vehicles. If you are a teenage rock star with millions of fans, you probably need a security convoy just to go visit your grandmother. If the President visits your town, you may see a huge convoy of secret service vehicles, limousines, and police cars. Ships can also travel in convoys, with those carrying valuable items surrounded by warships. As a verb, convoy describes the act of traveling together, like when your family and other families convoy to a camp ground, driving in a group, making stops together, and waving to each other on the highway.

Example Sentences

The boats were located by the Mexican Navy and the crews are safe, a spokesman for the Nuestra America Convoy said.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

The first shipments arrived by plane from Europe and the United States last week as part of an air and sea mission, dubbed Our America Convoy, to bring some 50 tonnes of aid to Cuba.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

"The security situation has improved, stability has been achieved, roads have become safer, there are fewer attacks," said the Senegal-based founder of Convoy Africa, a consultancy which advises Russian and foreign companies.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

Anyone who worked with or for Convoy has a legitimate grievance, he said, “except for Convoy, who screwed up everything.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2024

He left the Convoy carefully and circumspectly, as if he was exiting a wake.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger