carry

verb

car·ry | \ ˈker-ē

, ˈka-rē\

carried; carrying; carries

Definition of carry

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to move while supporting : transport her legs refused to carry her further— Ellen Glasgow

2 : to convey by direct communication carry tales about a friend

3 chiefly dialectal : conduct, escort

4 : to influence by mental or emotional appeal : sway She intended the play to carry audiences toward a sense of peace and understanding.

5 : to get possession or control of : capture carried off the prize

6 : to transfer from one place (such as a column) to another carry a number in adding

7 : to contain and direct the course of The drain carries sewage. Cables carry electricity to homes.

8a : to wear or have on one's person Police officers carry guns.

b : to bear upon or within one is carrying an unborn child

c : to harbor (a pathogen) within the body carry a virus

d : 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

9a : to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property carry a scar

b : imply, involve The crime carried a heavy penalty.

10 : to hold or comport (oneself, one's person, etc.) in a specified manner always carries herself with dignity and grace

11 : to sustain the weight or burden of Pillars carry an arch. is carrying a full course load

12 : to bear as a crop

13 : to sing with reasonable correctness of pitch carry a tune

14a : to keep in stock for sale The store carries a good selection of wines.

b : to provide sustenance for land carrying 10 head of cattle

c : to have or maintain on a list or record carry a person on a payroll carried six guards on the team

15 : 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.

16 : 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

17a : 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.

b : 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.

18 : to present for public use or consumption Newspapers carry weather reports. Channel nine will carry the game.

19a : to bear the charges of holding or having (stocks, merchandise, etc.) from one time to another

b : to keep on one's books as a debtor A merchant carries a customer.

20 : to hold to and follow after The dog could not carry the scent.

21 : to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use

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

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

intransitive verb

1 : to act as a bearer

2a : to reach or penetrate to a distance Voices carry well. Fly balls don't carry well in cold air.

b : to convey itself to a reader or audience

3 : to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way a load that carries easily

4 of a hunting dog : to keep and follow the scent

5 : to win adoption The motion carried by a vote of 71–25.

6 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 a torch or carry the torch

1 : crusade

2 : 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.

carry

noun

plural carries

Definition of carry (Entry 2 of 2)

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

2a : portage

b : the act or method of carrying fireman's carry

c : the act of rushing with the ball in football averaged four yards per carry

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

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about carry

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Examples of carry in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But more telling is that Carson, who missed two games due to injury, was third in the NFL in carries per game at 17.6 — the only two who got more carries per game were Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott at 20.2 and the Los Angeles Rams’ Todd Gurley at 18.2. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Seahawks mailbag: Is Seattle scouting the Alliance of American Football?," 12 Feb. 2019 The trains returned to Mexico carrying legitimate cargo. — Nicole Hong, WSJ, "What El Chapo’s Trial Revealed: The Inner Workings of a $14 Billion Drug Empire," 12 Feb. 2019 Since the brand's inception in 2015, Base Butter has exploded, and now carries the number-one Aloe vera gel–based moisturizer for pH-balanced and hydrated skin. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "The 15 Best Black-Owned Beauty Brands I'll Never Stop Talking About," 11 Feb. 2019 ThinkProgress’s Lindsay Gibbs previously wrote that Roberson’s death suggests that the calls for more armed guards that so often emerge after mass shootings carry a unique risk for black people. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "A black security guard caught a shooting suspect — only to be shot by police minutes later," 23 Jan. 2019 Over time, a lot of the insider must-haves in case of an emergency—like the fashion tape and sweat protectors that stylists carry in their kits—have become available to the public, thanks to brands like Hollywood Fashion Secrets. — Ana Colón, Glamour, "8 Red Carpet Fashion Hacks Celebrity Stylists Swear By," 18 Jan. 2019 This reduces how much alcohol gets carried up in each bubble (too much alcohol can overpower the champagne's more delicate flavors). — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "The secret to champagne’s universal appeal is the physics of bubbles," 31 Dec. 2018 However, viewers won’t get to see one of SpaceX’s rocket landings this time around, as the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellite will be deposited in the ocean. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Watch SpaceX launch its final Falcon 9 rocket of the year for the Air Force," 21 Dec. 2018 When that request was ignored, another agent, Officer Rivas, began rifling through Elsharkawi’s carry-on bag for a second time. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "Man sues feds after being detained for refusing to unlock his phone at airport," 18 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Is there not enough room for carry-ons on every flight? — Aditi Shrikant, Vox, "Why airlines make you check your carry-on bags," 20 Dec. 2018 RAVpower’s Turbo Series 20100mAh battery pack stores a ton of power in a size that won’t take up too much room in your carry-on bag. — Chris Welch, The Verge, "The best battery packs for carrying everywhere and charging everything," 17 Aug. 2018 Carry-ons: As easy as ABC The TSA has a nifty way to remember what's okay to bring in your carry-on bag. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "What can I bring in a carry-on bag? And other travel tips from Delta and TSA," 15 June 2018 Choosing a cruise line can be as overwhelming as picking a destination for your summer vacation (or heck, as picking one more book to fit into your carry-on). — Southern Living, "The One Thing Only Carnival Cruise Offers," 6 June 2018 The 5-foot-7 Scott said a majority of his 20 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown against UTSA that day went away from wherever the 6-foot-7, 255-pound Davenport began each play on defense. — Christopher Dabe, NOLA.com, "Boston Scott, Saints draft pick, remembers facing Marcus Davenport in college," 14 May 2018 Other photos show a passenger going down an inflatable slide and dozens standing in the grass looking at the plane, some holding their carry-on bags. — Alex Horton, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Flight from hell’: A 3-hour delay, billowing smoke and passengers scrambling onto the wing," 9 May 2018 Yes, cheese graters (AKA sponge destroyers) are permitted in your carry-on bag. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "Swords? Lobsters? Movie corpse? TSA Instagram shows what people try to take on planes | The Kansas City Star," 30 Apr. 2018 Chester Willis, a running back, gained 7 yards on his only carry in the Raiders' 38-9 victory over the Redskins on Jan. 22, 1984. — Mark Inabinett, AL.com, "Super Bowl LII: Brandon King could join Auburn's list of 2-time winners," 31 Jan. 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near carry

carry all/everything before (one)

carry away

Statistics for carry

Last Updated

17 Feb 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for carry

The first known use of carry was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for carry

carry

verb

English Language Learners Definition of carry

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to move (something) while holding and supporting it

: to contain and direct the flow of (water, electricity, etc.)

: to have (something) with you or on your body

carry

noun

English Language Learners Definition of carry (Entry 2 of 2)

American football : the act of running with the ball

See the full definition for carry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

carry

verb

car·ry | \ ˈker-ē

carried; carrying

Kids Definition of carry

1 : to take or transfer from one place to another Can you carry a package? You might need to carry a number in addition.

2 : to contain and direct the course of The pipe is carrying water to the sea.

3 : to wear or have on or within the body carry money She is carrying an unborn child.

4 : to have as an element, quality, or part Does the camera carry a guarantee?

5 : to have for sale The market carries fresh fish.

6 : to go over or travel a distance His voice carried across the river.

7 : support entry 1 sense 1, bear The building has pillars that carry an arch.

8 : win entry 1 sense 3 He will carry the election.

9 : to hold or bear the body or some part of it Carry your head high.

10 : to sing in correct pitch Can you carry a tune?

11 : to present to the public The story was carried on the evening news. The paper carries weather reports.

carry away

: to cause strong feeling in The music carried her away.

carry on

1 : to behave in an improper or excited manner Ramona cried and carried on so … that they sent her home.— Barbara Robinson, Best Christmas Pageant

2 : manage sense 1 They carry on a business.

3 : to continue in spite of difficulties The scientists carried on even without their equipment.

carry out

: to put into action or effect

carry

transitive verb

car·ry | \ ˈkar-ē

carried; carrying

Medical Definition of carry

1 : to harbor (a pathogen) within the body many are unaware they carry the virus and could be infecting others— Donald MacGillis

2 : to possess a specified gene women who carry genes that increase the risk of breast cancer— Liz Szabo specifically : to possess one copy of a specified recessive gene and be capable of transmitting it to offspring screening tests to see whether parents carry genes for cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease or other defects — Lisa Greene