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
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
Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
The campaign states that firearms and ammunition are never allowed to travel through carry-on baggage screening checkpoints.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes, 15 Jan. 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
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Basketball and being a Bulldog are in the blood for Lewis, whose mom Melissa played at Buena and now works in the College and Career Center at her alma mater, getting to watch her daughter carry on the program’s winning tradition.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for carry-on 
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Noun
Drafty hotel rooms, chilly plane rides, and cool nights are no match for this soft and stretchy zip-up, so add it to your carry-on no matter the destination.
—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
The campaign states that firearms and ammunition are never allowed to travel through carry-on baggage screening checkpoints.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes, 15 Jan. 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
Based on that data training, modern-era AI does a relatively remarkable job of mimicking how humans interact and can carry on conversations.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Basketball and being a Bulldog are in the blood for Lewis, whose mom Melissa played at Buena and now works in the College and Career Center at her alma mater, getting to watch her daughter carry on the program’s winning tradition.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for carry-on
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Dictionary Entries Near carry-on
Cite this Entry
“Carry-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carry-on. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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