convey

verb

con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
conveyed; conveying

transitive verb

1
a
: to bear from one place to another
especially : to move in a continuous stream or mass
b
: to impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance
struggling to convey his feelings
c
: to transfer or deliver (something, such as property) to another especially by a sealed writing
d
: to cause to pass from one place or person to another
convey a message
e(1)
archaic : steal
(2)
obsolete : to carry away secretly
2
obsolete : lead, conduct

Examples of convey in a Sentence

To convey sympathy to a bereaved parent by telephone struck him as maladroit … P. D. James, The Private Patient, 2008
… he conveys so much kindliness and benign authority that he is probably forgiven each time he directs a tuna-fish shopper into the thick of the English muffins. Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 22 June 1992
Robyn was well aware that clothes do not merely serve the practical purpose of covering our bodies, but also convey messages about who we are, what we are doing, and how we feel. David Lodge, Nice Work, 1990
… please convey to Mr. & Mrs. Langdon my love &respectful duty. Mark Twain 28 Nov. 1868, in Mark Twain's Letters1990
The singer was conveyed from her hotel to the airport by limousine. They conveyed the goods by ship. The pipes convey water to the fields. The message conveyed a sense of urgency. He conveyed the estate to his son.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even the hardtop enclosure, with sliding-glass doors and an open area at the back, conveys a sense of airiness. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2025 The prison was the perfect place to convey that [part of the] story. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 At the royal court, scribes advanced Ottoman Turkish as a language of elite writing, compiling collections of letters to convey correct writing methods, and drawing up a style manual. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 20 Feb. 2025 Brailsford conveyed the same messages in one-on-one meetings with United players towards the end of last season as well as seeking their views on how the club could improve in terms of support, training facilities, sports science, data analysis, nutrition and much more. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convey

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French conveer to accompany, escort, from Vulgar Latin *conviare, from Latin com- + via way — more at way

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of convey was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Convey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convey. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

convey

verb
con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
conveyed; conveying
1
: to carry from one place to another : transport
2
: to serve as a way of carrying
pipes convey water
3
: to make known : communicate
using words to convey ideas

Legal Definition

convey

transitive verb
con·​vey kən-ˈvā How to pronounce convey (audio)
conveyed; conveying
: to transfer or transmit (property or property rights) to another especially by a writing (as a deed or will)
agreed to convey to the estate his Manhattan town houseR. H. Jensen
compare alienate, devise, donate, give, grant, sell
conveyee
kən-ˌvā-ˈē
noun
conveyor
kən-ˈvā-ər
noun

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