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

The main road linking the city to the capital, Antananarivo, was cut off in several places, "blocking humanitarian convoys", it said, while telecommunications were unstable.

From Barron's

The tractors arrived in five convoys from across Spain, converging on the city centre and moving from Plaza Colon to the Ministry of Agriculture, bringing traffic to a standstill.

From Barron's

The convoy of motorcyclists made the journey from Stourbridge on Thursday, which was the collecting points for the cards.

From BBC

The convoys have been harder to find and less aggressive.

From Los Angeles Times

By Friday, May 16, rumors of the convoy had reached the governor.

From Literature