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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Use it as a carry-on, grocery tote, gym bag, or beach buddy.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead of rigid voice commands, AI assistants will understand context, remember preferences, and carry on multi-step dialogues.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Use it as a carry-on, grocery tote, gym bag, or beach buddy.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Grab three for $9 with this multipack and stash them in your carry-on for your next trip—your feet will thank me later.
—Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Over the weekend, business leaders offered a mix of responses after federal agents shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, revealing yet again how one of America’s most powerful cohorts is — publicly, at least — carrying on with business as usual.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Instead of rigid voice commands, AI assistants will understand context, remember preferences, and carry on multi-step dialogues.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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