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
Ginni Saraswati, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The actress paired the handbag with a Bric’s Bellagio 3.0 21 carry-on spinner, which is available for $725.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 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
Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2025
Calo's recommendation is to stay calm and carry on using ChatGPT, just more cautiously.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Your carry-on bag sits perpetually half-packed in the corner.
—Ginni Saraswati, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The actress paired the handbag with a Bric’s Bellagio 3.0 21 carry-on spinner, which is available for $725.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 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
Reeve’s legacy of advocacy work has been carried on by his children, who serve as board members of his foundation.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2025
Calo's recommendation is to stay calm and carry on using ChatGPT, just more cautiously.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2025.
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