carry-on

1 of 3

noun

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

carry-on

2 of 3

adjective

: carried or suitable for being carried aboard

carry-on baggage

carry on

3 of 3

verb

carried on; carrying on; carries on

transitive verb

: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating

carry on research

carried on the business

intransitive verb

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

Noun

• suitcase

Verb

• act out
• misconduct
• disobey
• run riot
• raise Cain
• rebel
• act up

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

Noun

Knives and other sharp items also were banned from carry-on bags. — Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Pourrain, with his carry-on in one hand and his maté thermos in the other, walked over to a water fountain for a refill before the cross-country flight. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Four satellites, each smaller than a piece of carry-on luggage, were launched into low orbit in May. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

Their lightweight fabric feels especially welcome in hot, humid destinations, and the relaxed silhouette works with sneakers, sandals, or whatever shoes made it into your carry-on. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Verb

Although the buildings have gotten taller over the years, the essential tool of the trade — a spud wrench that every ironworker carries on his belt to tighten the bolts that hold the beams together — has not changed in fifty years. — Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Athens, the rest of the mainland, and many of the larger islands carry on much as usual. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1948, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1638, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for carry-on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon

Kids Definition

carry on

verb

1

: conduct entry 2 sense 2, manage

carries on a business

2

: to continue especially in spite of difficulties

still carrying on

3

: to behave badly

embarrassed at the way you carried on