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 audience, aware of Fauci’s experiences to come in the covid era, arrives with its own baggage. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Congress created the Transportation Security Administration, shifting responsibility for screening passengers, baggage and other cargo to a federal workforce. — Rio Yamat, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Fliers will also enjoy complimentary gate-to-gate Wi-Fi and a generous baggage allowance. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026

Aside from the psychological baggage of last year’s visits to Nottingham and Brighton, all three opponents (with Brentford being the other) aspire to qualify for Europe. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 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