convoy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a procession of land vehicles traveling together
  2. noun a collection of merchant ships with an escort of warships
  3. noun the act of escorting while in transit
  4. verb escort in transit
    • the trucks convoyed the cars across the battle zone
    • the warships convoyed the merchant ships across the Pacific

WordNet

Con*voy" transitive verb
Etymology
F. convoyer, OF. conveier, convoier. See Convey.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Convoyed ; present participle & verbal noun Convoying
Definitions
  1. To accompany for protection, either by sea or land; to attend for protection; to escort; as, a frigate convoys a merchantman.
    I know ye skillful to convoy The total freight of hope and joy. Emerson.
Con"voy noun
Etymology
F. convoi.
Definitions
  1. The act of attending for defense; the state of being so attended; protection; escort.
    To obtain the convoy of a man-of-war. Macaulay.
  2. A vessel or fleet, or a train or trains of wagons, employed in the transportation of munitions of war, money, subsistence, clothing, etc., and having an armed escort.
  3. A protection force accompanying ships, etc., on their way from place to place, by sea or land; an escort, for protection or guidance.
    When every morn my bosom glowed To watch the convoy on the road. Emerson.
  4. Conveyance; means of transportation. Obs. Shak.
  5. A drag or brake applied to the wheels of a carriage, to check their velocity in going down a hill. Knight.

Webster 1913