carry-on

1 of 3

noun

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

carry-on

2 of 3

adjective

: carried or suitable for being carried aboard

carry-on baggage

carry on

3 of 3

verb

carried on; carrying on; carries on

transitive verb

: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating

carry on research

carried on the business

intransitive verb

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

Noun

• carryall
• grip
• handbag
• holdall [chiefly British]
• portmanteau
• suitcase
• traveling bag
• wallet

Verb

• act out
• act up
• misbehave

Examples of carry-on in a Sentence

Noun

the airline allows two carry-ons per person

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

Noun

Designed with a slim build, the water bottle fits nicely in my backpack or carry-on, too. —Sanah Faroke, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2024

Other goodies, like this Tumi backpack, which could be a good carry-on bag, and a Clinique skincare set for your foundation-free summer, are on sale. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1967, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1638, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

carry on

verb

1

: conduct entry 2 sense 2, manage

carries on a business

2

: to continue especially in spite of difficulties

still carrying on

3

: to behave badly

embarrassed at the way you carried on