convey

verb

con·​vey kən-ˈvā 

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

Synonyms

• communicate
• conduct
• give
• impart
• spread
• transfer
• transfuse
• transmit

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 Letters,  1990

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

The decision to erect the statue could convey as much about the current regime’s views of national power and state control, observers suggested at the time. —Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025

Words may fall short when portraying the shock, trauma and cognitive dissonance, but when words fail, there are images, objects and sensual immersion that can convey a perception of what happened and how the Nova festival community has come together for healing and hope. —Karen-Janine Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025

The cards convey how a player is performing this season and, more importantly, how he’s expected to finish the season. —Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

But while police say crime is down in West 7th, analysis by criminal justice experts and the Star-Telegram’s reporting on the issue — as well as the presentation’s own data for the most violent crime of all — suggest that the area is not as relatively safe as Alldredge intended to convey. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

convey

verb

con·​vey kən-ˈvā 

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 

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 house

—R. H. Jensen

compare alienate, devise, donate, give, grant, sell

conveyee

kən-ˌvā-ˈē

noun

conveyor

kən-ˈvā-ər

noun