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
Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025
We were each allowed a personal item, one carry-on up to 33 lbs., and 2 standard pieces of luggage up to 50 lbs.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, Solis carries on this tradition with her own child.
—Patrick Davis, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carry-on
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Noun
The lightweight and flexible shoes pack easily in my carry-on without losing their shape.
—Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025
We were each allowed a personal item, one carry-on up to 33 lbs., and 2 standard pieces of luggage up to 50 lbs.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 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
And, while Robert E. Lee might have declined to resort to guerrilla warfare, many of his lieutenants carried on a program of suppression by terror.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Now, Solis carries on this tradition with her own child.
—Patrick Davis, NPR, 20 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.
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