Definition of carry
carried;
carrying
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
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.
8 a
: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
9 a
:to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property
- carry a scar
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
14 a
: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
17 a
: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.
19 a
: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
2 a
: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.
—
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.
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