convoy
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
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the act of convoying.
-
the protection provided by an escort.
-
a ship, fleet, group of vehicles, etc., accompanied by a protecting escort.
-
an armed force, warship, etc., that escorts, especially for protection.
-
any group of military vehicles traveling together under the same orders.
-
Citizens Band Radio Slang. two or more CB-equipped vehicles traveling together.
noun
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a group of merchant ships with an escort of warships
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a group of land vehicles assembled to travel together
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the act of travelling or escorting by convoy (esp in the phrase in convoy )
verb
Synonym Usage
See accompany.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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convoysimple
-
convoyssimple
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have convoyedperfect
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has convoyedperfect
-
am convoyingprogressive
-
are convoyingprogressive
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is convoyingprogressive
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have been convoyingperfect progressive
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has been convoyingperfect progressive
Past
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convoyedsimple
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had convoyedperfect
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was convoyingprogressive
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were convoyingprogressive
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had been convoyingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing convoy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Friday, the convoy left the stadium just minutes after the body had been removed.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
Now is the time to ‘end the economic war on Cuba,’ say Cuban Americans for Cuba, an emerging collective that joined the recent convoy to Havana.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
The convoy of coaches seen transporting passengers from the MV Hondius was reminiscent of the scene in 2020 when more than 80 people were taken to Arrowe Park after being evacuated from China.
From BBC • May 11, 2026
Like Orellana, Julian Pecora Cardenas, 31, was charged with conspiracy last summer after following a convoy of federal agents in his car.
From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026
As he ran, he gathered from some shouted remarks that a convoy of Eurasian prisoners was passing.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
