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

With airlines weighing carry-ons more and more now, too, even light packers may want to grab one to avoid being surprised with unexpected baggage fees. — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

On the other hand, Raman certainly hasn’t put things out of reach, despite the fact that Bass carries the baggage of the Palisades fire and has made only minimal progress on her signature issue — homelessness. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Some baggage delays caused by airport systems that the airline does not operate will no longer be considered the airline's responsibility, either. — Bailey Berg, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Part nostalgia object and part mini marketing campaign, Thompson’s retro DVD Club is an unusually apt emblem for the weird baggage that comes with making a debut feature today. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 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