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
Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
Make sure your medications are in your carry-on bag.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 2 Dec. 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
James Morris, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Things have come a long way from the days when such instruments were huge, blocky things that had to be placed on a stand or carried on the shoulder to use.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carry-on 
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Noun
However, the company now includes a carry-on bag in its basic economy tickets.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
Make sure your medications are in your carry-on bag.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 2 Dec. 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
Verb
Overall, the interior styling and trim carries on the sense of quality from the exterior.
—James Morris, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
Things have come a long way from the days when such instruments were huge, blocky things that had to be placed on a stand or carried on the shoulder to use.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024
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 Dec. 2024.
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