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
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Your black leather Coach Tabby bag will get plenty of use during your holiday at home as a versatile shoulder bag or crossbody bag with all your daily essentials that pairs perfectly with everything in your carry-on luggage.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 18 Nov. 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
Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
This relationship carried on for at least three months before a monitoring app on the student's cellphone alerted his parents to illicit texts between the two.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carry-on 
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Noun
Go ahead — pack your Thanksgiving turkey in your carry-on.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Your black leather Coach Tabby bag will get plenty of use during your holiday at home as a versatile shoulder bag or crossbody bag with all your daily essentials that pairs perfectly with everything in your carry-on luggage.
—Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 18 Nov. 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
The train will then depart Fraser at 4:05 p.m. and depart the Winter Park Resort at 4:35 p.m., arriving back in Denver at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets for the train, which include carrying on skis and snowboards, start at just $19 (or $9.50 for kids) and are available to book online at amtrak.com.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024
This relationship carried on for at least three months before a monitoring app on the student's cellphone alerted his parents to illicit texts between the two.
—Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 21 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 1 Dec. 2024.
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