baggage

1 of 2

noun (1)

bag·​gage ˈba-gij 

1

: suitcases, trunks, and personal belongings of travelers : luggage

2

: transportable equipment especially of a military force

3

: intangible things (such as feelings, circumstances, or beliefs) that get in the way

emotional baggage

baggage

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

dated : a contemptible or disreputable woman

"I can buy her off. If she took money from him—the mercenary, painted baggage!—why, then, she'll take it from me."

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

2

dated : a young woman

Examples of baggage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The risks are obvious for any team that signs a player with as much baggage as Sorsby, not to mention uncertainty over whether the NFL will suspend him. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 23 June 2026

But Sorsby comes with a lot of baggage. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 June 2026

In addition to this perk, the card gives you purchase protection, auto rental insurance, baggage delay insurance and more. —Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 22 June 2026

The set also comes in several colors and designs, but this vibrant red shade is easy to spot, even on a packed baggage carousel. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bagage, from Middle French, from bagues belongings, baggage

Noun (2)

probably modification of Middle French bagasse, from Old Occitan bagassa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 21

Noun (2)

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing baggage

• bag and baggage
• baggage claim
• hand baggage

Kids Definition

baggage

noun

bag·​gage

ˈbag-ij

: the traveling bags and personal belongings of a traveler : luggage