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 of carry-on
Relevance
Noun
Verb
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
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
This face mask comes in clever packaging, too: The jar is refillable, and the insert can be taken out, making the mask easier to pack in a carry-on or makeup bag.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 29 Apr. 2026
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
When packing with just a carry-on, less really is more here.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 May 2026
To carry on the tradition, Tedla turns to her mom’s recipe each holiday season and serves it at her restaurant, Enat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Items of value, particularly smaller things that could be easily removed or concealed, should always be carried in person or within carry-on bags.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
This face mask comes in clever packaging, too: The jar is refillable, and the insert can be taken out, making the mask easier to pack in a carry-on or makeup bag.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The airline was a pioneer in offering ultra-low base fares in the US, charging extra for things like carry-on bags.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
When packing with just a carry-on, less really is more here.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Verb
With the retaliation allegation still standing, and Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit dismissed months ago, Lively had sworn to carry on.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 May 2026
To carry on the tradition, Tedla turns to her mom’s recipe each holiday season and serves it at her restaurant, Enat.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026
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 6 May. 2026.
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