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); see ex- ¹, correct

Explanation

When you go somewhere, whether it's for fun or business, it's always nice to have an escort — someone to go along with you. Some escorts are there to protect you, some just to share a good time. The word escort can be a noun or a verb — "your escort escorts you." This word is derived from the Latin excorrigere, "to set out," and moved through the Italian scorgere, meaning "to guide." In the 1570s it took on a military tone as escorte, used to describe armed protectors for travelers. In the 19th century it came to mean "accompanying a person on social occasions," although we still refer to military escorts today.

Example Sentences

Thomas said he was walking Route 40 in Richmond, Indiana on Tuesday when a car struck the escort vehicle behind him, which in turn hit him.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

She even needed a police escort at times because she was going through regions known for regular fatal tiger attacks.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

That meant their reporters forfeited their press passes—which had allowed them to move around in the building without an escort.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“In the short term, navies are not expected to escort merchant ships,” Larsen wrote.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He gave the crowd a slight bow and walked over to escort the elders out.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

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