Definition of "carry-on"

carry-on

adjective
not comparable
1. Taken onto an airplane (or a ferry, etc.) with a passenger, rather than checked.
noun
countable and uncountable, plural carry-ons
1. That luggage or baggage which is taken onto an airplane (or a ferry, etc.) with a passenger, rather than checked.
  1. A bag, suitcase, etc., used to carry this luggage or baggage.
    Quotations
    "THAT'S NOT MY CARRY-ON, THOSE WOULD NEVER GET THROUGH SECURITY. ALSO YOU'RE GROUNDED"
    2022, Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content (webcomic), 4900 TeenSA
2. (countable, Britain, New Zealand) A palaver; a disorderly or absurd situation.
  Quotations
  "I love salad",she dared when it came to the next course, and then inwardly cringed when it seemed that that was actually a special order and there was such a carry-on about what kind of salad she wanted.
  2002, Lynne Graham, The Italian's Wife
  The stopping, restarting, swearing and routine self-deprecation ("I'm in trouble with the vicar – eternal trouble," quips Martin) is the kind of carry-on that has fans purring with pleasure.
  2011 November 27, Kitty Empire, The Observer