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

Plus, the waterproof material and sturdy zippers give your gear protection on rainy days or humid baggage holds. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025

The benefit works for bags, golf clubs, skis and other items that fall within baggage rules. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025

Murder in a Small Town expanded its cast for Season 2, adding a slew of new characters, including Bethany Brown as Corporal Laila Jackson, a talented cop with a lot of baggage who used to work with Karl in Minneapolis. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025

Scrap fee transparency rules that force disclosure of baggage and seat fees upfront. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025

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 1

Noun (2)

1594, 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