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
Synonyms of carry-on
Relevance
Noun
Verb
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
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Not a bad present, considering Williams gave away Beis carry-on luggage and duffle bags to Hornets employees last year.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Dec. 2025
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
These travelers have their luggage shipped and delivered to their destination rather than checking a bag or using a carry-on.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The Independence city code currently regulates how much marijuana residents can carry on their person without facing legal consequences (3 ounces or less), as well as how many marijuana plants (six each of three different types) can be kept by licensed growers.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Despite the smaller size and shape, this carry-on has a spacious interior complete with expansion zippers, compression garment straps, and multiple zippered pockets.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
Not a bad present, considering Williams gave away Beis carry-on luggage and duffle bags to Hornets employees last year.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Instead of tossing your cords into your carry-on and hoping for the best, keep your tech essentials organized with this compact $10 electronics organizer from Fyy.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
These travelers have their luggage shipped and delivered to their destination rather than checking a bag or using a carry-on.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
Unable to turn back against the strong currents of the Napo, the party, now reduced to just 50, carried on downriver toward the Amazon.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The Independence city code currently regulates how much marijuana residents can carry on their person without facing legal consequences (3 ounces or less), as well as how many marijuana plants (six each of three different types) can be kept by licensed growers.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
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 12 Jan. 2026.
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