car·ry-on
ˈker-ē-ˌȯn 
ˈka-rē-,
-ˌän
1
British
: carrying-on
2
: a piece of luggage suitable for being carried aboard an airplane by a passenger
: carried or suitable for being carried aboard
carry-on baggage
carried on; carrying on; carries on
: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating
carry on research
carried on the business
1
: to continue especially in spite of hindrance or discouragement
chose to carry on despite the weather
2
: to behave or speak in a foolish, excited, or improper manner
shocked at how he carries on
Examples of carry-on in a Sentence
Noun
the airline allows two carry-ons per person
Verb
a toddler crying and carrying on in the store
she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband
Recent Examples on the Web
Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
From sleek rolling carry-ons that glide seamlessly through the terminal to roomy weekenders (spoiler: our team loves a tote) to the little accessories that cover everything else, these editor luggage picks cover a lot.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
Oftentimes, paying more for an airline that includes a carry-on is the best option.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Lee’s granddaughter, Carolyn Yim — the creator of Ply-Knits — has been carrying on the family legacy by producing some of Samuel Gui Yang’s most iconic knitwear pieces.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Available in a variety of trendy colors, this carry-on backpack is cute and practical.
—Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
From sleek rolling carry-ons that glide seamlessly through the terminal to roomy weekenders (spoiler: our team loves a tote) to the little accessories that cover everything else, these editor luggage picks cover a lot.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Instead, snap up a high-quality yet affordable duffel bag from Target, which provides just as much space as carry-on luggage, according to shoppers.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
Oftentimes, paying more for an airline that includes a carry-on is the best option.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Still, Republicans and Democrats are not letting the optics of fundraising or networking during a shutdown stop them from carrying on like usual.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Lee’s granddaughter, Carolyn Yim — the creator of Ply-Knits — has been carrying on the family legacy by producing some of Samuel Gui Yang’s most iconic knitwear pieces.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
Cite this Entry
“Carry-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carry-on. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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