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
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
Will Porter, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Be sure to check your portable electronics, any lithium-iron battery items must go in your carry-on bags.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 July 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
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 July 2025
Matlock worked with Iggy Pop and Johnny Thunders, while lifelong friends Jones and Cook attempted to carry on together as the Professionals, but struggled to find relevance in the MTV era.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
Most tennis bags are suitable as a carry-on bag, but check your airline's specific policies regarding size and weight limits on sports equipment, as the largest tennis bags may need to be checked.
—Will Porter, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Be sure to check your portable electronics, any lithium-iron battery items must go in your carry-on bags.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 July 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
Or even how the sky and its painterly clouds seem to carry on and on in perpetuity.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 July 2025
Matlock worked with Iggy Pop and Johnny Thunders, while lifelong friends Jones and Cook attempted to carry on together as the Professionals, but struggled to find relevance in the MTV era.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025
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 18 Jul. 2025.
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