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
Synonyms of carry-on
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Noun
Verb
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
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Many complaints have focused on those passengers being forced to place carry-on bags in compartments way to the back of the plane, a different experience from the prior boarding process.
—Jordan Parker
aviation, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
The joint military operation is expected to carry on for days.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) responded to Harry Reid International Airport on Feb. 2 after receiving reports that a dog had been tied to a metal carry-on baggage sizer and left behind at the airport's JetBlue ticket counter.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Many complaints have focused on those passengers being forced to place carry-on bags in compartments way to the back of the plane, a different experience from the prior boarding process.
—Jordan Parker
aviation, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Grab three for $9 with this multipack and stash them in your carry-on for your next trip—your feet will thank me later.
—Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
Vacuum Bags for Travel TikTok creators swear by vacuum-seal bags for squeezing more clothing into a carry-on.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
At the same time, as images of first strikes on the UAE started to circulate Saturday, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships carried on as scheduled with finals, although a number of players are now stuck in the country waiting for flights to resume.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
The joint military operation is expected to carry on for days.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
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 5 Mar. 2026.
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