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

Bringing an unsolicited dish can come with lots of unexpected baggage. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025

No more frantic suitcase repacking at the airport or paying ridiculous overweight baggage fees. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025

The generator, which didn't have fuel, was loaded in the aft baggage compartment and secured to the airframe with webbing. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 2 Dec. 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 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