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Synonyms

duffel bag

American  

noun

  1. a large, cylindrical bag, especially of canvas, for carrying personal belongings, originally used by military personnel.


duffel bag British  

noun

  1. a cylindrical drawstring canvas bag, originally used esp by sailors for carrying personal articles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of duffel bag

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As he approached the gate to board the Frontier Airlines flight, his final concern was whether his duffel bag would be deemed a personal item.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Lewandowski was photographed coming and going from Noem’s building, one time with a duffel bag, and a neighbor said the two were often spotted in the elevator and common areas.

From Slate • Aug. 12, 2025

I loved a gag where Paul gets whacked from one side of the frame by a bird and from the other side by a duffel bag.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

Eighteen months before, in January 2011, he had sat at the back of the Lincoln team coach with a duffel bag containing £60,000-worth of euro notes.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2024

Helmuth sits on the bed, watches Gerhard stuff undergarments and socks into his duffel bag.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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