Convoy Meaning
/ˈkɒn.vɔɪ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounOne or more merchant ships sailing in company to the same general destination under the protection of naval vessels.
nounA group of vehicles travelling together for safety, especially one with an escort.
Sentence Examples
The convoy of army trucks was blocking the road.
We got ourselves a convoy.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The military ____ moved slowly through the desert to avoid detection from enemies.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of army trucks was blocking the road.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English, from Old French convoier, another form of conveier, from Vulgar Latin *convio (compare Medieval Latin convio (“to accompany on the way”)), from Latin con- (“together”) + via (“way”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"'Cause we got a great big convoy
Rockin' through the night.
Yeah, we got a great big convoy
Ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on and join our convoy
Ain't nothin' gonna get in our way.
We gonna roll this truckin' convoy
'Cross the USA."
— 1975, “Convoy”, in C.W. McCall, Chip Davis (lyrics), Black Bear Road, performed by C. W. McCall:
"I know ye skilful to convoy / The total freight of hope and joy / Into rude and homely nooks, / Shed mocking lustres on shelf of books, […]"
— 1867, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “May-Day”, in May-Day and Other Pieces, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC, page 23:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The military ____ moved slowly through the desert to avoid detection from enemies.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ of army trucks was blocking the road.