convoy
KON-voy
/ˈkɒnvɔɪ/
A group of vehicles or ships traveling together, typically accompanied by armed troops, warships, or other vehicles for protection.
The key aspect is the protective escort, especially in dangerous areas or wartime. Can also be a verb, 'to convoy.'
The story behind the word. The word 'convoy' comes from the Old French 'convoyer,' meaning 'to accompany' or 'to escort.' It originally referred to accompanying someone for protection or guidance. By the 17th century, it specifically came to mean a group of ships or vehicles traveling together with an escort, especially in wartime, to ensure their safety.
Word relationships
- escort: The act of accompanying someone or something for protection or courtesy.
- caravan: A group of people, especially traders or pilgrims, traveling together across a desert in Asia or North Africa.
- fleet: A group of ships, but 'convoy' specifically implies protective escort.
- solitary travel: Traveling alone.
Collocations
- naval convoy
- aid convoy
- military convoy
- convoy system
Example sentences
- "During World War II, Allied merchant ships traveled in convoys across the Atlantic to protect against submarine attacks." Describing wartime shipping.
- "The military decided to convoy the humanitarian aid trucks through the conflict zone to ensure their safe arrival." Using as a verb.
Memory hook
A CONVOY CONveys goods safely with an escort. Convey with escort
When not to use
Do not use 'convoy' for any group of vehicles traveling together; it specifically implies protection or escort.
Fun facts
- The convoy system was crucial in both World Wars to counter submarine warfare, significantly reducing shipping losses.
Explore more words
procession, rendezvous, expedition, convoke, conscript, entourage
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