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

Nedoune, a Tuareg herder in his fifties, said he was fetching water two years ago in the northern Timbuktu region when a convoy spotted him.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

The evacuees then boarded a red Spanish army bus and travelled to Tenerife South airport in a convoy with Civil Guard vehicles.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

A convoy of white and black turbaned mullahs in camouflage, guns strapped across their chests, growls past in a parade of motorcycles - another startling moment of this night.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 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

But troops swarming across the road forced the convoy to a halt.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan