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
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
Milad Haghani, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Chic, compact, carry-on friendly—this is skincare for people who appreciate results and ritual.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 5 June 2025
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
On Friday morning at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, a feline was discovered inside a passenger’s carry-on bag during a security screening.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
The two carry on, eventually falling into a water fountain with only the pink Ranger emerging — revealing that their baby was a girl.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Examples of non-compliance include: smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or vapes in the cabin or lavatories
failing to fasten seatbelts when instructed
exceeding carry-on baggage allowances or failing to store when required
consuming personal alcohol on board.
—Milad Haghani, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Chic, compact, carry-on friendly—this is skincare for people who appreciate results and ritual.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 5 June 2025
Adjective
The compact case is smaller than a credit card, so it can easily be slid into your carry-on, personal item, or even your pocket without adding bulk.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2023
On Friday morning at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia, a feline was discovered inside a passenger’s carry-on bag during a security screening.
—Forrest Brown, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023
Verb
And a few miles to the south, Debnam is carrying on the Thomas tradition.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025
The two carry on, eventually falling into a water fountain with only the pink Ranger emerging — revealing that their baby was a girl.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 June 2025
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 20 Jun. 2025.
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