envoy

noun

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a minister plenipotentiary accredited to a foreign government who ranks between an ambassador and a minister resident

called also envoy extraordinary

b

: a person delegated to represent one government in its dealings with another

2

: messenger, representative

Synonyms

• agent
• ambassador
• delegate
• emissary
• legate
• minister
• representative

Examples of envoy in a Sentence

the president sent the secretary of state as his personal envoy to gain the support of the country's allies

one of the hostage takers was chosen as the group's envoy for all dealings with the authorities

Recent Examples on the Web

Brett McGurk, National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East, and Amos Hochstein, a U.S. special envoy with a focus on Lebanon, are also expected to meet other senior Israeli officials, the source said. —Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Finally, the envoy takes the Brigstockes to the beach where the drowning happened, next to the lifeguard stand, ironically. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Aaron David Miller, a veteran Middle East expert and former envoy to the region, said Nasrallah’s killing could force Hezbollah, Iran and perhaps Hamas to a decision point. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2024

Federalists worried that something had happened to the envoys in France. —Lindsay M. Chervinsky / Made By History, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French envoyé, from past participle of envoyer to send, from Old French enveier

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

envoy

noun

en·​voy ˈen-ˌvȯi  ˈän- 

1

a

: a diplomatic representative who ranks between an ambassador and a minister

b

: a representative sent by one government to another

ambassadors and other envoys

2

: representative entry 2 sense 2, messenger