carry
1 of 2verb
car·ry ˈker-ē 
ˈka-rē
carried; carrying; carries
transitive verb
1
: to move while supporting : transport
her legs refused to carry her further—
Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow2
: to convey by direct communication
carry tales about a friend
3
chiefly dialectal : conduct, escort
4
: to influence by mental or emotional appeal : sway
She intended the play to carry audiences toward a sense of peace and understanding.
5
: to get possession or control of : capture
carried off the prize
6
: to transfer from one place (such as a column) to another
carry a number in adding
7
: to contain and direct the course of
The drain carries sewage.
Cables carry electricity to homes.
8
a
: to wear or have on one's person
Police officers carry guns.
b
: to bear upon or within one
is carrying an unborn child
c
: to harbor (a pathogen) within the body
carry a virus
d
: to possess a specified gene
specifically : to possess one copy of a specified recessive gene and be capable of transmitting it to offspring
parents carrying genes for cystic fibrosis
9
a
: to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property
carry a scar
b
: imply, involve
The crime carried a heavy penalty.
10
: to hold or comport (oneself, one's person, etc.) in a specified manner
always carries herself with dignity and grace
11
: to sustain the weight or burden of
Pillars carry an arch.
is carrying a full course load
12
: to bear as a crop
13
: to sing with reasonable correctness of pitch
carry a tune
14
a
: to keep in stock for sale
The store carries a good selection of wines.
b
: to provide sustenance for
land carrying 10 head of cattle
c
: to have or maintain on a list or record
carry a person on a payroll
carried six guards on the team
15
: to be chiefly or solely responsible for the success, effectiveness, or continuation of
a player capable of carrying a team
Her performance carried the play.
16
: to prolong or maintain in space, time, or degree
carry a principle too far
carry the wall above the eaves
carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning
17
a
: to gain victory for
especially : to secure the adoption or passage of
The bill was carried in the Senate by a vote of 75–25.
b
: to win a majority or plurality of votes in (something, such as a legislative body or a state)
The bill carried the Senate by a vote of 75–25.
18
: to present for public use or consumption
Newspapers carry weather reports.
Channel nine will carry the game.
19
a
: to bear the charges of holding or having (stocks, merchandise, etc.) from one time to another
b
: to keep on one's books as a debtor
A merchant carries a customer.
20
: to hold to and follow after
The dog could not carry the scent.
21
: to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use
22
: to pass over (something, such as a hazard) at a single stroke in golf
carry a bunker
23
: to propel and control (a puck or ball) along a playing surface
intransitive verb
1
: to act as a bearer
2
a
: to reach or penetrate to a distance
Voices carry well.
Fly balls don't carry well in cold air.
b
: to convey itself to a reader or audience
3
: to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way
a load that carries easily
4
of a hunting dog : to keep and follow the scent
5
: to win adoption
The motion carried by a vote of 71–25.
6
informal : to have a gun on one's person : to carry a gun
I did make one adjustment in the aftermath of Ned's attack. I hauled my H&K [handgun] and holster out of the trunk at the foot of my bed. If Ned was declaring war, I'd be carrying.—Sue Grafton
Sue Graftoncarry
2 of 2noun
plural carries
1
: carrying power
especially : the range of a gun or projectile or of a struck or thrown ball
2
a
: portage
b
: the act or method of carrying
fireman's carry
c
: the act of rushing with the ball in football
averaged four yards per carry
3
: the position assumed by a color-bearer with the flag or guidon held in position for marching
4
: a quantity that is transferred in addition from one number place to the adjacent one of higher place value
Synonyms
Verb
- bear
- cart
- convey
- ferry
- haul
- lug
- pack
- tote
- transport
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I'll carry your luggage to your room. He was carrying his baby daughter in his arms. For two months, I carried the book around with me everywhere I went. The waitress carried away our empty dinner plates. The wind carried the smoke away from the campsite. These planes can carry up to 300 passengers. a ship carrying thousands of gallons of oil Oil is carried to the factory through these pipes. We installed gutters that will carry water away from the house. blood vessels that carry blood to the heart Noun He averaged four yards per carry this season. See More
Recent Examples on the WebThe Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023 High egg prices may tempt you to start your own backyard flock, but chickens carry some health risks Lillian and Tim Lu, who own Noisette bakery and restaurant in Denver, have struggled to source eggs. —Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 9 Feb. 2023 On the verge of the Orioles’ first post-rebuild season, The Baltimore Sun is breaking down the roster position by position, examining the biggest questions at each spot and who could help carry the team back to the postseason, in 2023 and beyond. —Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2023 In general, carry-on luggage should be 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 inches) or less. —Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 There are attractive containers designed for the countertop, plastic bins with spinner wheels like carry-on luggage, and heavy-duty options to keep in the garage or basement. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 27 Jan. 2023 The Cowboys’ starting running back is averaging just 1.85 yards per carry the last three games, which includes Monday night’s NFC wild card game. —Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023 Battie ran for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 6.74 yards per carry last season, which was the 20th-best mark nationally among running backs. —Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 19 Jan. 2023 Although Dobbins had a solid performance with 62 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry to go with a touchdown catch, that wasn’t enough to soothe his anger on the turning point in Baltimore’s loss to Cincinnati. —Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland, 16 Jan. 2023 Eric Johnson, Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023 The court cited last year's Supreme Court decision that allowed public carry without a license. —Kinsey Crowley, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 Everything comes in a bright orange reflective bag that’s easy to open and has a carry strap that increases ease of transport. —Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2023 Roll them right back up into their compact carry bag to take them with you anywhere. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Feb. 2023 Burch blamed gun rights groups, some of which were from outside of Alabama, for pressuring lawmakers to back permitless carry. —al, 1 Feb. 2023 Another poll conducted last September showed similar results, with 61 percent of Floridian voters opposed to permitless carry, including 71 percent of Hispanics. —Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 31 Jan. 2023 Opponents said permitless carry would lead to more violence and more crime. —Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2023 Better yet, they can be packed into the back pocket for easy carry. —Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023 See More
Verb
These moments, Rahm explained later, carry extra meaning to him. —The Arizona Republic, 9 Feb. 2023 High egg prices may tempt you to start your own backyard flock, but chickens carry some health risks Lillian and Tim Lu, who own Noisette bakery and restaurant in Denver, have struggled to source eggs. —Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 9 Feb. 2023 On the verge of the Orioles’ first post-rebuild season, The Baltimore Sun is breaking down the roster position by position, examining the biggest questions at each spot and who could help carry the team back to the postseason, in 2023 and beyond. —Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2023 In general, carry-on luggage should be 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 inches) or less. —Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2023 There are attractive containers designed for the countertop, plastic bins with spinner wheels like carry-on luggage, and heavy-duty options to keep in the garage or basement. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 27 Jan. 2023 The Cowboys’ starting running back is averaging just 1.85 yards per carry the last three games, which includes Monday night’s NFC wild card game. —Dallas News, 19 Jan. 2023 Battie ran for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 6.74 yards per carry last season, which was the 20th-best mark nationally among running backs. —Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 19 Jan. 2023 Although Dobbins had a solid performance with 62 rushing yards and 4.8 yards per carry to go with a touchdown catch, that wasn’t enough to soothe his anger on the turning point in Baltimore’s loss to Cincinnati. —Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland, 16 Jan. 2023 Noun
Casar wants red flag laws, universal background checks, an end to permitless carry and a ban on assault weapon sales. —Eric Johnson, Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023 The court cited last year's Supreme Court decision that allowed public carry without a license. —Kinsey Crowley, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2023 Everything comes in a bright orange reflective bag that’s easy to open and has a carry strap that increases ease of transport. —Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2023 Roll them right back up into their compact carry bag to take them with you anywhere. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Feb. 2023 Burch blamed gun rights groups, some of which were from outside of Alabama, for pressuring lawmakers to back permitless carry. —al, 1 Feb. 2023 Another poll conducted last September showed similar results, with 61 percent of Floridian voters opposed to permitless carry, including 71 percent of Hispanics. —Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 31 Jan. 2023 Opponents said permitless carry would lead to more violence and more crime. —Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2023 Better yet, they can be packed into the back pocket for easy carry. —Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English carien, from Anglo-French carier to transport, from carre vehicle, from Latin carrus — more at car
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1844, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Phrases Containing carry
Kids Definition
carry
1 of 2 verb car·ry ˈkar-ē
carried; carrying
1
: to support and take from one place to another : transport
carry a package
2
: to influence by appeal to the mind or emotions
the speaker carried the audience
3
: win entry 1 sense 3b, capture
carried off the prize
4
: to transfer from one place (as a column) to another
carry a number in addition
5
: to contain and direct the flow of
a pipe carries water
6
a
: to wear or have on one's person
carries a camera
b
: to bear upon or within one
carries a scar
she is carrying an unborn child
7
: imply sense 1, involve
the crime carries a penalty
8
: to hold the body or a part of it
carry your head high
9
: to sing in correct pitch
carry a tune
10
: to stock for sale
carries three brands of tires
11
: to keep on a list or record
carrying six drivers on the payroll
12
: support entry 1 sense 4a
pillars carry an arch
13
a
: to succeed in
carry an election
b
: to win a majority of votes in (as a state)
14
: to present for the public
newspapers carry weather reports
15
: to reach or travel a distance
a voice that carries well
carry
2 of 2 noun plural carries
: a quantity that is transferred in addition from one number place to the one of next higher place value
Medical Definition
carry
transitive verb car·ry ˈkar-ē
carried; carrying
1
: to harbor (a pathogen) within the body
many are unaware they carry the virus and could be infecting others—Donald MacGillis
Donald MacGillis2
: to possess a specified gene
women who carry genes that increase the risk of breast cancer—Liz Szabo
Liz Szabo specifically : to possess one copy of a specified recessive gene and be capable of transmitting it to offspring
screening tests to see whether parents carry genes for cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease or other defects —Lisa Greene
Lisa Greene carries
verb
1
as in hauls
to support and take from one place to another each camper must be able to carry his or her own backpack Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hauls
- brings
- transports
- sends
- conveys
- ferries
- packs
- delivers
- takes
- bears
- carts
- lugs
- transmits
- totes
- ships
- removes
- transfers
- fetches
- moves
- forwards
- shifts
- hands over
2
as in packs
to wear or have on one's person I always carry a camera with me so as to never miss a great shot Synonyms & Similar Words
- packs
- bears
- displays
- flaunts
- shows
- exhibits
- sports
- parades
- shows off
3
as in offers
to bring before the public in performance or exhibition all of the television networks will carry the president's speech Synonyms & Similar Words
- offers
- presents
- gives
- stages
- performs
- mounts
- unveils
- displays
- shows
- exposes
- represents
- exhibits
- plays
- renders
- portrays
- enacts
- comes out with
- extends
- depicts
- parades
- shows off
- dramatizes
- acts
- proffers
- impersonates
- previews
- tenders
4
as in includes
to have as part of a whole the idea of equality carries with it a number of other concepts Synonyms & Similar Words
- includes
- contains
- encompasses
- involves
- entails
- subsumes
- embraces
- comprehends
- comprises
- receives
- numbers
- possesses
- takes in
- incorporates
- has
- owns
- holds
- constitutes
- embodies
- integrates
- composes
- admits
- brackets
- assimilates
- forms
- makes
- consists (of)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- excludes
- prevents
- omits
- prohibits
- precludes
- leaves (out)
- denies
- refuses
- eliminates
- rejects
- bans
- loses
- misses out
- excepts
- bars
- debars
- misplaces
- mislays
- rules out
5
as in sustains
to hold up or serve as a foundation for erected a trellis to carry the vine Synonyms & Similar Words
- sustains
- supports
- bolsters
- stays
- upholds
- bears
- underpins
- undergirds
- buttresses
- braces
- underlies
- steadies
- trusses
- shores (up)
- props (up)
6
as in earns
to receive as return for effort carried off the award for best picture of the year Synonyms & Similar Words
- earns
- garners
- reaps
- wins
- obtains
- makes
- gets
- gains
- acquires
- secures
- captures
- attains
- procures
- lands
- draws
- realizes
- achieves
- brings in
- bags
- pulls down
- knocks down
- accumulates
- accomplishes
- comes by
- amasses
- occupies
- scores
- nets
- catches
- regains
- clears
- grosses
- recaptures
- reacquires
- annexes
- takes over
- picks up
- racks up
- notches (up)
- remakes
- reattains
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loses
- gives
- pays
- forfeits
- grants
- relinquishes
- accords
- yields
- surrenders
- parts (with)
- hands over
- gives up
7
as in behaves
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way during that difficult time the grieving parents carried themselves with unfailing grace and dignity Synonyms & Similar Words
- behaves
- conducts
- acquits
- contains
- composes
- handles
- restrains
- collects
- comports
- bears
- demeans
- plays
- checks
- inhibits
- modulates
- deports
- quits
- represses
- controls
- constrains
- curbs
- acts
- quiets
- tempers
- moderates
- impersonates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misbehaves
- carries on
- misconducts
- acts up
- cuts up