baggage

1 of 2

noun (1)

bag·​gage ˈba-gij 

1

: suitcases, trunks, and personal belongings of travelers : luggage

2

: transportable equipment especially of a military force

3

: intangible things (such as feelings, circumstances, or beliefs) that get in the way

emotional baggage

baggage

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

dated : a contemptible or disreputable woman

"I can buy her off. If she took money from him—the mercenary, painted baggage!—why, then, she'll take it from me."

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

2

dated : a young woman

Examples of baggage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The moon will peak in Gemini on Dec. 15, shaking up your 12th house of closure, dreams and all things behind the scenes, presenting you with an opportunity to surrender, heal and release baggage from the past. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024

According to Frontier's 2023 annual report, 64 percent of its $3.5 billion passenger revenue came from ancillary charges, including baggage fees, snacks and seat assignments. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Singapore can tap into other regions much more easily than Hong Kong can, without the baggage of being tied to China. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 27 Nov. 2024

This emotional baggage, in many cases, stems from unhealthy relationships with our parents, who tend to be our primary caregivers. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bagage, from Middle French, from bagues belongings, baggage

Noun (2)

probably modification of Middle French bagasse, from Old Occitan bagassa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing baggage

• bag and baggage
• baggage claim
• hand baggage

Kids Definition

baggage

noun

bag·​gage

ˈbag-ij

: the traveling bags and personal belongings of a traveler : luggage