carry

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verb

car·ry ˈker-ē

ˈka-rē

carried; carrying; carries

transitive verb

: to move while supporting : transport

her legs refused to carry her further

Ellen Glasgow

: to convey by direct communication

carry tales about a friend

chiefly dialectal : conduct, escort

: to influence by mental or emotional appeal : sway

She intended the play to carry audiences toward a sense of peace and understanding.

: to get possession or control of : capture

carried off the prize

: to transfer from one place (such as a column) to another

carry a number in adding

: to contain and direct the course of

The drain carries sewage.

Cables carry electricity to homes.

: to wear or have on one's person

Police officers carry guns.

: to bear upon or within one

is carrying an unborn child

: to harbor (a pathogen) within the body

carry a virus

: to possess a specified gene

specifically : to possess one copy of a specified recessive gene and be capable of transmitting it to offspring

parents carrying genes for cystic fibrosis

: to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property

carry a scar

: imply, involve

The crime carried a heavy penalty.

: to hold or comport (oneself, one's person, etc.) in a specified manner

always carries herself with dignity and grace

: to sustain the weight or burden of

Pillars carry an arch.

is carrying a full course load

: to bear as a crop

: to sing with reasonable correctness of pitch

carry a tune

: to keep in stock for sale

The store carries a good selection of wines.

: to provide sustenance for

land carrying 10 head of cattle

: to have or maintain on a list or record

carry a person on a payroll

carried six guards on the team

: to be chiefly or solely responsible for the success, effectiveness, or continuation of

a player capable of carrying a team

Her performance carried the play.

: to prolong or maintain in space, time, or degree

carry a principle too far

carry the wall above the eaves

carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning

: to gain victory for

especially : to secure the adoption or passage of

The bill was carried in the Senate by a vote of 75–25.

: to win a majority or plurality of votes in (something, such as a legislative body or a state)

The bill carried the Senate by a vote of 75–25.

: to present for public use or consumption

Newspapers carry weather reports.

Channel nine will carry the game.

: to bear the charges of holding or having (stocks, merchandise, etc.) from one time to another

: to keep on one's books as a debtor

A merchant carries a customer.

: to hold to and follow after

The dog could not carry the scent.

: to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use

: to pass over (something, such as a hazard) at a single stroke in golf

carry a bunker

: to propel and control (a puck or ball) along a playing surface

intransitive verb

: to act as a bearer

: to reach or penetrate to a distance

Voices carry well.

Fly balls don't carry well in cold air.

: to convey itself to a reader or audience

: to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way

a load that carries easily

of a hunting dog : to keep and follow the scent

: to win adoption

The motion carried by a vote of 71–25.

informal : to have a gun on one's person : to carry a gun

I did make one adjustment in the aftermath of Ned's attack. I hauled my H&K [handgun] and holster out of the trunk at the foot of my bed. If Ned was declaring war, I'd be carrying.

Sue Grafton

carry

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noun

plural carries

: carrying power

especially : the range of a gun or projectile or of a struck or thrown ball

: portage

: the act or method of carrying

fireman's carry

: the act of rushing with the ball in football

averaged four yards per carry

: the position assumed by a color-bearer with the flag or guidon held in position for marching

: a quantity that is transferred in addition from one number place to the adjacent one of higher place value

Phrases

carry a torch or carry the torch

: crusade

: to be in love especially without reciprocation : cherish a longing or devotion

still carrying a torch for a former lover

carry the ball

: to perform or assume the chief role : bear the major portion of work or responsibility

No one else is available to make the arrangements, so it's up to you to carry the ball.

carry the day

: win, prevail

Truth and justice will carry the day.

Example Sentences

Verb I'll carry your luggage to your room. He was carrying his baby daughter in his arms. For two months, I carried the book around with me everywhere I went. The waitress carried away our empty dinner plates. The wind carried the smoke away from the campsite. These planes can carry up to 300 passengers. a ship carrying thousands of gallons of oil Oil is carried to the factory through these pipes. We installed gutters that will carry water away from the house. blood vessels that carry blood to the heart Noun He averaged four yards per carry this season. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Miracle Boy,’ carry the offense if Ohio State turns The Game into The Shootout?

Stephen Means, cleveland, 25 Nov. 2022 Stripes on the seats and details on the key fob carry the theme, too.

Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 25 Nov. 2022 By comparison, New York Police Department officers carry a handgun that shoots about half that much.

Anchorage Daily News, 25 Nov. 2022 While the top-line holiday sales projections are promising, higher-income households will carry the load, with many others facing a constrained holiday season.

Tirzah Christopher, The Arizona Republic, 24 Nov. 2022 Older Poles still carry the trauma of the atrocities inflicted on Poland by Germany during World War II.

Monika Scislowska, ajc, 24 Nov. 2022 The Badgers carry a modest record (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) into the game.

Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 23 Nov. 2022 This upcoming trough of low pressure will likely carry some moisture along with it.

Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Nov. 2022 All travelers heading from the U.S. to Europe need to connect through the airline's Reykjavik hub, and should be prepared to pay extra for things like seat selection, carry-on and checked bags, and drinks, snacks and meals onboard.

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Nov. 2022

Noun

The Bruins could sing the fight song in their locker room for the first time since beating Arizona State early this month after their running game revved back into overdrive, rolling up 352 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2022 They’ll get tested against the Packers and Aaron Jones, a top-10 back who has 778 total yards and averages 5.4 yards per carry.

David Hill, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2022 The three-time Southwest District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year carried the ball 228 times for 2,081 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and 33 TDs in the regular season as the Cowboys finished undefeated and No. 2 in the final AP poll.

cleveland, 24 Nov. 2022 Purdue is more or less middle-of-the-road defensively against the run, averaging a shade under 3.7 yards per carry.

Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Nov. 2022 He's since emerged as one of the most dominant running backs in the state, rushing for 2,291 yards and 37 touchdowns with an average of 9.2 yards per carry, according to MaxPreps.

Josh Criswell, Chron, 23 Nov. 2022 The senior running back ended the season with 2,555 yards (8.5 yards per carry) and 35 touchdowns.

oregonlive, 23 Nov. 2022 LaRose, who will play at Wesleyan, finished with 5,577 career yards and 79 touchdowns on 643 careers (8.7 yards per carry), per the Worcester Telegram.

Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Nov. 2022 Newman has rushed for 941 yards (6.6 per carry) and 13 touchdowns, has 36 tackles and a pick-six as a cornerback and has returned 20 kicks and punts — including one for a touchdown.

Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.