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
Examples of carry-on in a Sentence
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
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Cherelle Griner thanked fans for their support of her wife while was in the custody of Russian authorities after being found with vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage at a Moscow airport.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
In August of 1948, a handful of white parachutes billowed out from the side of a small plane, each drifting toward the Earth with a wooden crate a few inches larger than an airplane carry-on bag dangling below it.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
These earplugs come with a clip-on carry case to attach to your carry-on bag, purse, or keys.
—Karthika Gupta, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024
Officers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the nation's busiest airport, found 451 firearms in carry-ons, more than any other airport in the country, according to TSA data.
—S. Dev, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
She is not frazzled, like the sweaty young mother trying to keep a grip on a slippery baby, a furious toddler and far too much carry-on.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Read on to discover our picks for the best carry-on luggage that PEOPLE tested.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
This year-round shoe staple is equally sensible and stylish, and isn't too bulky or heavy to pack in your carry-on.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
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
Like most LCCs, Norse Atlantic charges extra for many add-ons to your reservation, including carry-on and checked baggage, seat assignments and onboard food and refreshments on the cheapest tickets.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Due to a risk of overheating, the FAA says spare lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, including external battery packs and cellphone charging cases, must be placed in carry-on bags only.
—Hannah Sampson, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023
As a rule of thumb, an empty carry-on that's six pounds or less is considered lightweight.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Louisa Ballou Half Moon One-Piece Swimsuit Now 75% Off Megan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa are just a sample of the celebrities who pack Louisa Ballou's botanical swimwear in their vacation carry-on bags.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Mar. 2023
Economy light follows the model of barebones economy, which allows passengers to bring one small carry-on only.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
Depending on the seating, there can be fees for carry-on and checked bags.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Her clothes carry on the great traditions of American sportswear—beautifully designed with a slice of pragmatism.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Signed, Sealed, Delivered is returning thanks to its ultra-loyal fans, who have carried on the stories even during the franchise hiatus.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
In different ways, each of these writers carried on Schwartz’s legacy, transforming personal experience into great autobiographical art.
—Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
If the rules carry on, all Japanese people could have the surname Sato by 2531, according to Hiroshi Yoshida, an economist from Tohoku University in Sendai, who led the study.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Even amid all the difficult news over the past few months, the royals are carrying on.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2024
Still, even by these disputatious standards, the arguments that have been carrying on around Amherst Regional Middle School, or ARMS, have been vociferous.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
This year's event, which carries on a tradition that began in 1878, features school themes.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
Noun
Looking for a go-to piece to pack into your carry-on to weather the ever-changing airplane cabin temperature?
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Cherelle Griner thanked fans for their support of her wife while was in the custody of Russian authorities after being found with vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage at a Moscow airport.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
In August of 1948, a handful of white parachutes billowed out from the side of a small plane, each drifting toward the Earth with a wooden crate a few inches larger than an airplane carry-on bag dangling below it.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2024
These earplugs come with a clip-on carry case to attach to your carry-on bag, purse, or keys.
—Karthika Gupta, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024
Officers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the nation's busiest airport, found 451 firearms in carry-ons, more than any other airport in the country, according to TSA data.
—S. Dev, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2024
She is not frazzled, like the sweaty young mother trying to keep a grip on a slippery baby, a furious toddler and far too much carry-on.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Read on to discover our picks for the best carry-on luggage that PEOPLE tested.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
This year-round shoe staple is equally sensible and stylish, and isn't too bulky or heavy to pack in your carry-on.
—Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
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
Like most LCCs, Norse Atlantic charges extra for many add-ons to your reservation, including carry-on and checked baggage, seat assignments and onboard food and refreshments on the cheapest tickets.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2023
Due to a risk of overheating, the FAA says spare lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, including external battery packs and cellphone charging cases, must be placed in carry-on bags only.
—Hannah Sampson, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023
As a rule of thumb, an empty carry-on that's six pounds or less is considered lightweight.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 2 Mar. 2023
Louisa Ballou Half Moon One-Piece Swimsuit Now 75% Off Megan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, and Dua Lipa are just a sample of the celebrities who pack Louisa Ballou's botanical swimwear in their vacation carry-on bags.
—Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 Mar. 2023
Economy light follows the model of barebones economy, which allows passengers to bring one small carry-on only.
—Christopher Muther, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Feb. 2023
Depending on the seating, there can be fees for carry-on and checked bags.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2023
Verb
Featuring Harry Belafonte, Aja Monet, Aloe Blacc, and Jesse Williams, Following Harry explores the life and legacy of cultural and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte through the stories of those artists and activists carrying on his life’s work dedicated to social justice.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Her clothes carry on the great traditions of American sportswear—beautifully designed with a slice of pragmatism.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Signed, Sealed, Delivered is returning thanks to its ultra-loyal fans, who have carried on the stories even during the franchise hiatus.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
In different ways, each of these writers carried on Schwartz’s legacy, transforming personal experience into great autobiographical art.
—Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
If the rules carry on, all Japanese people could have the surname Sato by 2531, according to Hiroshi Yoshida, an economist from Tohoku University in Sendai, who led the study.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
Even amid all the difficult news over the past few months, the royals are carrying on.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2024
Still, even by these disputatious standards, the arguments that have been carrying on around Amherst Regional Middle School, or ARMS, have been vociferous.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
This year's event, which carries on a tradition that began in 1878, features school themes.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carry-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Carry-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carry-on. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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