escort

American  

[es-kawrt, ih-skawrt] / ˈɛs kɔrt, ɪˈskɔrt /

noun

1. a group of persons, or a single person, accompanying another or others for protection, guidance, or courtesy.

   An escort of sailors accompanied the queen.

2. an armed guard, as a body of soldiers or ships.

   The president traveled with a large escort of motorcycle police.

3. a man or boy who accompanies a woman or girl in public, as to a social event.

4. a person, especially a woman female escort, but sometimes a man male escort, who is paid to go on a date with a client, and usually to engage in sex acts for money.

5. protection, safeguard, or guidance on a journey.

   to travel without escort.

   Synonyms:

   convoy

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verb (used with object)

1. to attend or accompany as an escort.

   Synonyms:

   guide, take, chaperone, squire, usher, conduct

escort British  

noun

1. one or more persons, soldiers, vehicles, etc, accompanying another or others for protection, guidance, restraint, or as a mark of honour

2. a man or youth who accompanies a woman or girl

   he was her escort for the evening

3. 1. a person, esp a young woman, who may be hired to accompany another for entertainment, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      an escort agency

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verb

1. (tr) to accompany or attend as an escort

Related Words

See accompany.

Other Word Forms

• unescorted adjective
• well-escorted adjective

Etymology

Origin of escort

First recorded in 1570–80; from French, from Italian scorta, derivative of scorgere “to conduct, guide,” from Vulgar Latin excorrigere (unrecorded); ex- ¹, correct

Example Sentences

Choreographer Annie-B Parson’s dancers eloquently, if ordinarily, escort Tristan and Isolde to the other side, leaving their egos behind.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

As Ms. Shevchenko’s partner and escort, Mr. Robare honored Balanchine’s fertile inventions with ease and expertise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Turkish media reported that after clearing customs and passport control in the evening, they left the airport for a hotel under police escort.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

He ripped into them this week for refusing to help escort ships through the strait and warned they will face a “very bad future.”

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Neither set of officers wanted to get anywhere close to the mountain, but it would be better to escort people peacefully than face an angry mob.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• accompany
• bring
• carry
• drag
• guide
• protect
• steer
• usher