convoy - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
convoy Word Meanings
- a group of vehicles traveling together for safety.
- a protective escort for ships, cars, or military personnel.
- to accompany or escort for protection.
convoy Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
convoy Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈkɒnvɔɪ/
US
/ˈkɑnvɔɪ/
convoy Word Etymology
From the Latin 'conviare' (to travel together) + Old French 'convoyer' (to escort), forming 'convoy'. Picture a historical caravan traveling across a desert, banding together for protection against bandits, creating a sense of community and safety.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Convoy refers to a group of vehicles moving together for safety and coordination. In military history, a convoy travels with an escort to deter attacks and protect personnel and cargo. In humanitarian or civilian logistics, convoys bring goods under protection through potentially risky routes. The term can also be used as a verb: to convoy means to accompany or escort someone or something to ensure safe passage. The sense is one of collective movement, planning, and mutual protection, with the emphasis on unity rather than on individual vehicles. Learners often confuse it with merely driving alongside, so context matters.
Usage Reminders
- Noun: a group of vehicles traveling together for safety. | Verb: to escort or accompany for protection. | Often paired with police or military protection. | Not every parade of cars is a convoy; focus on coordinated movement. | Distinguish from 'escort' as a noun vs verb usage and from 'caravan' in modern contexts.
Common Misconceptions
- Convoy always means a parade of luxury cars; not true, it emphasizes protection and coordination.
- The word cannot be used for a single car; it refers to a group or the act of escorting.
- Confusing convoy with escort alone; convoy implies movement as a unit.
- Using convoy as a synonym for caravan in all contexts; while related, convoy has security/escort nuance.
- Thinking it’s only military; it applies to humanitarian and civilian logistics as well.
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate convoy as both a noun and a verb with distinct usages; learners should note that the verb form requires an object to escort and that not every group of moving vehicles is a convoy.
Learning Tips
- Learn the noun and verb forms separately with examples.
- Study common collocations: convoy of vehicles, humanitarian convoy, convoy escort.
- Track verb usage: to convoy someone or something means to escort.
- Practice news articles about military or humanitarian operations.
- Compare with synonyms like escort and caravan to refine nuance.
- Create your own sentences describing protected group movement.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'convoy'?
A.A group of vehicles traveling together
B.An emotional expression
C.A type of music genre
D.A style of painting
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct sentence using the word 'convoy':
A.The convoy of dancers performed beautifully.
B.The soldiers traveled in a convoy for safety.
C.We will convoy the meeting agenda by tomorrow.
D.She began to convoy her thoughts in her diary.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'convoy'?
A.singular
B.fleet
C.isolate
D.departure
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'convoy'?
A.assemble
B.scatter
C.gather
D.unite
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario of using 'convoy'?
A.She loves to convoy her friends at parties.
B.A group of trucks joined together for a delivery.
C.He decided to convoy his novel into a screenplay.
D.Their mission was to convoy the lost dog home.
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