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

This is a mystifyingly substance-free exercise that carries no intrinsic value. — Gerard Baker, WSJ, "Resolutions, Predictions and Other Exercises in Futility," 28 Dec. 2018 Spanning over 16,500 square feet, Katayama blends midcentury design elements with contemporary geometries to create an inviting atmosphere that carries throughout the venue. — Town & Country, "Inside NYC's Latest Hub for Design, Dining, and Culture," 27 Dec. 2018 Cold winters have served as a key check on mosquito populations that carry viruses like dengue and Zika. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Winters are warming faster than summers. These US cities could lose weeks of freezing days by 2050.," 21 Dec. 2018 These reports must include all of the details about the launch vehicle that will carry the satellites, the time and location of the launch, and contact information for who is coordinating the launch. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "FCC slams spaceflight company with $900,000 fine over illegal satellite launch," 20 Dec. 2018 We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need to Know About Priyanka Chopra's Wedding Dresses," 4 Dec. 2018 We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's Wedding Included an Actual Song and Dance Competition," 2 Dec. 2018 We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives. — Jennifer Lance, Glamour, "Watch Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' Incredible Pre-Wedding Sangeet Dances," 2 Dec. 2018 Besides a diamond bracelet emblazoned with her children's names, the Duchess carried a vintage Manolo Blahnik handbag that her own mother, Susan Barrantes, brought to her 1986 wedding to Prince Andrew. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Sarah Ferguson Gives Rare Interview About Prince Andrew and Princess Diana," 12 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Transportation Security Administration considers breast pumps medical devices, and both breast milk and formula are exempt from the carry-on liquids limits. — Jenna Sauers, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Women Really Quit Breastfeeding," 17 July 2018 The manufacturers' imagery, FlyersRights claims, is unrealistic, doesn't show the entire evacuation procedure, and does not depict anyone reaching for carry-on bags, which have increased in number as baggage fees have swept the industry. — Dennis Romero, NBC News, "FAA declines to regulate more legroom for airline passengers," 3 July 2018 In November, the two venerable companies bowed a line of silver-colored, wheeled carry-on bags in two accent-color offerings. — Kavita Daswani, latimes.com, "Kim Kardashian pop-up comes to Century City; Fendi, Rimowa team on new round of stylish luggage," 22 June 2018 Similar to food items, officers may recommend smaller containers of powder also be removed from carry-on bags for separate screening. — CBS News, "TSA steps up scrutiny of powders in carry-on bags," 20 June 2018 Some airlines even charge you for bringing a carry-on item. — The Motley Fool, "Boost your income: 27 things you're probably wasting your money on right now," 4 May 2018 With these lower rates, travelers on United cannot bring on board a full-size carry-on bag. — Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s what we know about Alaska Airlines’ new ‘Saver Fares’ – its cheapest class of tickets," 28 Apr. 2018 Starting on June 4, Alaska Airlines will reduce the carry-on luggage size limit on its planes to 22-by-14-by-9 inches — a 2-by-3-by-1-inch trim. — Philly.com, "Alaska Airlines reducing carry-on size," 18 Apr. 2018 Right now, the airline relies on a 2009 survey conducted by the European Avian Safety Association to tell them how much the average passenger weighs and how much carry-on luggage each traveler typically brings. — Rebecca Endicott, ELLE Decor, "Finnair Wants To Start Weighing Passengers Before They Can Board The Plane," 1 Nov. 2017

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

14 Jan 2019

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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