car·ry-on
ˈker-ē-ˌȯn 
ˈka-rē-,
-ˌän
1
British
: carrying-on
2
: a piece of luggage suitable for being carried aboard an airplane by a passenger
: carried or suitable for being carried aboard
carry-on baggage
carried on; carrying on; carries on
: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating
carry on research
carried on the business
1
: to continue especially in spite of hindrance or discouragement
chose to carry on despite the weather
2
: to behave or speak in a foolish, excited, or improper manner
shocked at how he carries on
Synonyms
Examples of carry-on in a Sentence
Verb
a toddler crying and carrying on in the store
she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband
Recent Examples on the Web
Gabrielle Porcaro, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2024
Airplane cabin temperature is notoriously fickle, quickly oscillating from hot to cold, so don’t forget to keep a cozy cardigan tucked into your carry-on suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2024
Prime members can save up to 60 percent on cordless vacuums, cooling pillows, carry-on suitcases, and so much more.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Also, keep in mind if there are any travel regulations for your toiletries: a clear, resealable quart-sized bag can go in a carry-on and through TSA's checkpoint security.
—Claire Peltier, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Following a birthday vacation with his wife, he was arrested April 12 when airport security allegedly found four rounds of hunting ammo in his carry-on bag earlier this month.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
Those plans were quickly derailed when airport authorities found a small Ziploc bag in the couple’s carry-on luggage that contained several rounds of ammunition.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2024
The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff found a Ziploc containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Looking for a go-to piece to pack into your carry-on to weather the ever-changing airplane cabin temperature?
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
On Friday morning at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, a feline was discovered inside a passenger’s carry-on bag during a security screening.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Like most LCCs, Norse Atlantic charges extra for many add-ons to your reservation, including carry-on and checked baggage, seat assignments and onboard food and refreshments on the cheapest tickets.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Due to a risk of overheating, the FAA says spare lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, including external battery packs and cellphone charging cases, must be placed in carry-on bags only.
—Hannah Sampson, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023
As a rule of thumb, an empty carry-on that's six pounds or less is considered lightweight.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Louisa Ballou Half Moon One-Piece Swimsuit Now 75% Off Megan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa are just a sample of the celebrities who pack Louisa Ballou's botanical swimwear in their vacation carry-on bags.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Mar. 2023
Economy light follows the model of barebones economy, which allows passengers to bring one small carry-on only.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
Depending on the seating, there can be fees for carry-on and checked bags.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
Undaunted, Nadia carried on her search, crisscrossing the country posting flyers.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2024
Just keep calm, carry on and trust your more-than-capable cast over fancypants sports-movie spectacle.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
And the top handle can be carried on your arm or on a suitcase.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
The Passover traditions Stillman inherited from her parents are now carried on by her son.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
The music video features the singer-songwriter and Post Malone, who features on the single, cast as ex-lovers who, per the lyrics, carried on an affair that only lasted 14 days.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
That is the exuberant Cavalli ethos which has been carried on by the house founder’s successors, including Peter Dundas and the current creative lead, Puglisi.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Featuring Harry Belafonte, Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, and Jesse Williams, Following Harry explores the life and legacy of cultural and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte through the stories of those artists and activists carrying on his life’s work dedicated to social justice.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
This affordable, multifunctional pack is lightweight but can hold a lot and easily fit under an airline seat as a carry-on.
—Gabrielle Porcaro, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2024
Airplane cabin temperature is notoriously fickle, quickly oscillating from hot to cold, so don’t forget to keep a cozy cardigan tucked into your carry-on suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2024
Prime members can save up to 60 percent on cordless vacuums, cooling pillows, carry-on suitcases, and so much more.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Also, keep in mind if there are any travel regulations for your toiletries: a clear, resealable quart-sized bag can go in a carry-on and through TSA's checkpoint security.
—Claire Peltier, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Following a birthday vacation with his wife, he was arrested April 12 when airport security allegedly found four rounds of hunting ammo in his carry-on bag earlier this month.
—Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
Those plans were quickly derailed when airport authorities found a small Ziploc bag in the couple’s carry-on luggage that contained several rounds of ammunition.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2024
The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff found a Ziploc containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
Looking for a go-to piece to pack into your carry-on to weather the ever-changing airplane cabin temperature?
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The compact case is smaller than a credit card, so it can easily be slid into your carry-on, personal item, or even your pocket without adding bulk.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
On Friday morning at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, a feline was discovered inside a passenger’s carry-on bag during a security screening.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Like most LCCs, Norse Atlantic charges extra for many add-ons to your reservation, including carry-on and checked baggage, seat assignments and onboard food and refreshments on the cheapest tickets.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Due to a risk of overheating, the FAA says spare lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, including external battery packs and cellphone charging cases, must be placed in carry-on bags only.
—Hannah Sampson, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023
As a rule of thumb, an empty carry-on that's six pounds or less is considered lightweight.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Louisa Ballou Half Moon One-Piece Swimsuit Now 75% Off Megan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa are just a sample of the celebrities who pack Louisa Ballou's botanical swimwear in their vacation carry-on bags.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Mar. 2023
Economy light follows the model of barebones economy, which allows passengers to bring one small carry-on only.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
Depending on the seating, there can be fees for carry-on and checked bags.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
Verb
He was removed as a conservator of her estate in September 2021, and the legal arrangement was terminated altogether more than two years ago, but the fallout over accounting issues and legal fees carried on in court until last week.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024
Undaunted, Nadia carried on her search, crisscrossing the country posting flyers.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2024
Just keep calm, carry on and trust your more-than-capable cast over fancypants sports-movie spectacle.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
And the top handle can be carried on your arm or on a suitcase.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
The Passover traditions Stillman inherited from her parents are now carried on by her son.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024
The music video features the singer-songwriter and Post Malone, who features on the single, cast as ex-lovers who, per the lyrics, carried on an affair that only lasted 14 days.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
That is the exuberant Cavalli ethos which has been carried on by the house founder’s successors, including Peter Dundas and the current creative lead, Puglisi.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Featuring Harry Belafonte, Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, and Jesse Williams, Following Harry explores the life and legacy of cultural and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte through the stories of those artists and activists carrying on his life’s work dedicated to social justice.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carry-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Carry-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carry-on. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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