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 conventional wisdom had been that Cornyn would be a gimme for the GOP while Paxton and his baggage—the Republicans in the state legislature impeached him—would be a drag, especially if Talarico emerged. —Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Mar. 2026

Few items in the men’s wardrobe are imbued with as much romanticism—and baggage—as the leather jacket. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2026

Those of you who chose to vote for a narcissistic, insecure racist rather than an African-American woman with an impeccable record and no baggage are to blame. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

Worse, the outbound flight’s baggage allowance was listed at 23kg (50 pounds), not the 70 pounds Orbitz stated. —Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 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