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

This fun luggage accessory from State Bags will help you and baggage handlers differentiate your bag from others. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

This is a powerful time to release emotional baggage and forgive yourself for past choices. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

The car was first built as a Pullman library-baggage car in the 1920s and renovated in 1934 to become one of the company’s plush, signature sleeper cars. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026

So Jordan makes a point of serving snacks with flight attendants, loading suitcases with baggage handlers, and sitting in breakrooms talking to ramp agents. —Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 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