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

Frontier and Spirit have started offering more bundles that include seats and baggage as well as more upmarket offerings like seats with more personal space. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025

The terminal is the ultimate VIP lounge, with free-flowing food and drink, concierge baggage service and a BMW ride to the waiting plane. —D.a. Varela, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

Using speculative fiction as a playground to apply theory and to theorize removes the weight and baggage that comes with observing and theorizing about our own world. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025

Your back and your baggage allowance will thank you. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 10 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