carry-on

[ kar-ee-on, -awn ]

adjective

1. of a size and shape suitable for being carried onto and stowed in the passenger compartment of an airplane:

   carry-on luggage.

noun

1. a piece of carry-on luggage.

carry on

verb

1. intr to continue or persevere

   we must carry on in spite of our difficulties

2. tr to manage or conduct

   to carry on a business

3. informal.
   introften foll bywith to have an affair
4. informal.
   intr to cause a fuss or commotion

noun

1. informal.
   a fuss or commotion

adjective

1. (of luggage) to be taken inside an aircraft by hand personally by a passenger

Word History and Origins

Origin of carry-on¹

First recorded in 1950–55; adj., noun use of verb phrase carry on

Example Sentences

You just travel light with carry-on luggage, go to cities that you love, and get to hang out with all your friends.

From The Daily Beast

He can watch me get stripped, have my stuff taken away, and be forced to board the plane sans carry-on.

From The Daily Beast

Then again, such keep-calm-and-carry-on nonchalance is vintage Bloomberg.

From The Daily Beast

She will then, at a time of her choosing, tuck it, say, into my carry-on bag just before I leave on a research trip.

From The Daily Beast

Anna and I lay down on the cold linoleum floor, pillowing our heads on our carry-on bags.

From The Daily Beast

I was convinced that she would carry-on all night like a forgotten dachshund, unless she was released.

From Project Gutenberg

"It's a fine carry-on this," said the Cornal, breaking the silence.

From Project Gutenberg

It was just her way of doing the carry-on for Aunt Clara Lamar.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• continue