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

A judge previously ruled key elements of a prior Pentagon press policy unconstitutional, but an appeals court allowed the temporary escort requirement.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The United States is considering restarting “Project Freedom” to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of global oil transits.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

The origins of the program go back to the early weeks of the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, when Trump first suggested that the Navy would escort ships through the strait “when the time comes.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Then he announced a new phase, Project Freedom, in which U.S. warships would escort oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, only to call it off after less than two days.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

Before Simon could offer to escort them, she went on, “If you do not mind, I should like to say our good-byes here.”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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