carry

/ˈkæ.ɹi/

Looking for the meaning of carry? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.

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noun
01

A manner of transporting or lifting something; the grip or position in which something is carried.

Adjust your carry from time to time so that you don't tire too quickly.

02

A tract of land over which boats or goods are carried between two bodies of navigable water; a portage.

03

The bit or digit that is carried in an addition operation.

04

The benefit or cost of owning an asset over time.

The carry on this trade is 25 basis points per annum.

05

The distance travelled by the ball when struck, until it hits the ground.

06

Carried interest.

07

The sky; cloud-drift.

verb
01

To lift (something) and take it to another place; to transport (something) by lifting.

02

To transfer from one place (such as a country, book, or column) to another.

to carry an account to the ledger

03

To convey by extension or continuance; to extend.

The builders are going to carry the chimney through the roof.  They would have carried the road ten miles further, but ran out of materials.

04

To move; to convey using force

05

To lead or guide.

06

To stock or supply (something); to have in store.

The corner drugstore doesn't carry his favorite brand of aspirin.

07

To adopt (something); take (something) over.

I think I can carry Smith's work while she is out.

08

To adopt or resolve on, especially in a deliberative assembly

The court carries that motion.

09

In an addition, to transfer the quantity in excess of what is countable in the units in a column to the column immediately to the left in order to be added there.

Five and nine are fourteen; carry the one to the tens place.

010

To have, hold, possess or maintain (something).

Always carry sufficient insurance to protect against a loss.

011

To be transmitted; to travel.

The sound of the bells carried for miles on the wind.

012

To insult, to diss.

013

To capture a ship by coming alongside and boarding.

014

To transport (the ball) whilst maintaining possession.

015

To have on one's person.

she always carries a purse;  marsupials carry their young in a pouch

016

To be pregnant (with).

The doctor said she's carrying twins.

017

To have propulsive power; to propel.

A gun or mortar carries well.

018

To hold the head; said of a horse.

to carry well, i.e. to hold the head high, with arching neck

019

To have earth or frost stick to the feet when running, as a hare.

020

To bear or uphold successfully through conflict, for example a leader or principle

021

To succeed in (e.g. a contest); to succeed in; to win.

The Tories carried the election.

022

To get possession of by force; to capture.

023

To contain; to comprise; have a particular aspect; to show or exhibit

024

To bear (oneself); to behave or conduct.

025

To bear the charges or burden of holding or having, as stocks, merchandise, etc., from one time to another.

A merchant is carrying a large stock;  a farm carries a mortgage;  a broker carries stock for a customer;  to carry a life insurance.

026

To have a weapon on one's person; to be armed.

027

To be disproportionately responsible for a team's success.

He absolutely carried the game, to the point of killing the entire enemy team by himself.

SYNONYMS:adopttake ontake overbearmove

Understanding "carry"

The word **"carry"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈkæ.ɹi/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"carry"** in our dictionary below.

The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "carry" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "carry" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.

For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "carry" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈkæ.ɹi/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "carry" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.

When deciding how to use "carry" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "carry" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.

Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "carry". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈkæ.ɹi/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "carry" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

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How do I use carry in a sentence?

Refer to the usage examples above to see how "carry" can be used in academic and casual conversations.