A motorcade is a procession or convoy of vehicles, typically cars or buses, often including limousines and other luxury vehicles. The term can also refer to an extended group of vehicles following one another on a road, led by a vehicle carrying important passengers such as dignitaries or celebrities. Motorcades are commonly used for transportation during parades, funerals, political events, and visits of heads of state or other VIPs. The term comes from the combination of "motor" (referring to motor vehicles) and "cade," which is a French word meaning "procession."