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

Example Sentences

A single freeze-up can knock out an entire weapons platform or immobilize a convoy.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the 63-year-old drove out of his house in a quiet Kuala Lumpur suburb, a convoy of SUVs and motorcycles roared up to his vehicle.

From BBC

The remaining convoys largely transport commercial goods that remain inaccessible to most of Gaza's 2.2 million people.

From Barron's

He waved to supporters before ducking into a convoy under tight security, video posted by his party showed.

From Barron's

Supplies first travel by truck or train to depots in the neighboring region of Jammu and Kashmir, then move by truck convoys to Leh, the capital city of Ladakh.

From The Wall Street Journal