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¹carry

verb car·ry \ˈka-rē, ˈker-ē\

: to move (something) while holding and supporting it

: to contain and direct the flow of (water, electricity, etc.)

: to have (something) with you or on your body

car·riedcar·ry·ing

Full Definition of CARRY

transitive verb

: to move while supporting : transport <her legs refused to carry her further — Ellen Glasgow>

: to convey by direct communication <carry tales about a friend>

chiefly dialect : conduct, escort

: to influence by mental or emotional appeal : sway

: to get possession or control of : capture <carried off the prize>

: to transfer from one place (as a column) to another <carry a number in adding>

: to contain and direct the course of <the drain carries sewage>

a : to wear or have on one's person

b : to bear upon or within one <is carrying an unborn child>

a : to have or bear especially as a mark, attribute, or property <carry a scar>

b : imply, involve <the crime carried a heavy penalty>

: to hold or comport (as one's person) in a specified manner

: to sustain the weight or burden of <pillars carry an arch> <is carrying a full course load>

: to bear as a crop

: to sing with reasonable correctness of pitch <carry a tune>

a : to keep in stock for sale

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>

: 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>

: 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>

a : to gain victory for; especially : to secure the adoption or passage of

b : to win a majority or plurality of votes in (as a legislative body or a state)

: to present for public use or consumption <newspapers carry weather reports> <channel nine will carry the game>

a : to bear the charges of holding or having (as stocks or merchandise) from one time to another

b : to keep on one's books as a debtor <a merchant carries a customer>

: to hold to and follow after (as a scent)

: to hoist and maintain (a sail) in use

: to pass over (as a hazard) at a single stroke in golf <carry a bunker>

: to propel and control (a puck or ball) along a playing surface

intransitive verb

: to act as a bearer

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

: to undergo or admit of carriage in a specified way

of a hunting dog : to keep and follow the scent

: to win adoption <the motion carried by a vote of 71–25>

— carry a torch or carry the torch

: crusade

: to be in love especially without reciprocation : cherish a longing or devotion <still carrying a torch for a former lover>

— carry the ball

: to perform or assume the chief role : bear the major portion of work or responsibility

— carry the day

: win, prevail

See carry defined for English-language learners

See carry defined for kids

Origin of CARRY

Middle English carien, from Anglo-French carier to transport, from carre vehicle, from Latin carrus — more at car

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CARRY

Synonyms: bear, cart, convey, ferry, haul, lug, pack, tote, transport

Antonyms: exclude, leave (out), miss out [British], omit

Rhymes with CARRY

gharry, harry, marry, parry, Shari, tarry

²carry

noun

American football : the act of running with the ball

plural car·ries

Full Definition of CARRY

: carrying power; especially : the range of a gun or projectile or of a struck or thrown ball

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>

: the position assumed by a color-bearer with the flag or guidon held in position for marching

: a quantity that is transferred in addition from one number place to the adjacent one of higher place value

See carry defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of CARRY

1858

Rhymes with CARRY

marry, parry, Shari, tarry

CARRYING Defined for Kids

carry

verb car·ry \ˈker-ē\

car·riedcar·ry·ing

Definition of CARRY for Kids

: to take or transfer from one place to another <Can you carry a package?> <You might need to carry a number in addition.>

: to contain and direct the course of <The pipe is carrying water to the sea.>

: to wear or have on or within the body <carry money> <She is carrying an unborn child.>

: to have as an element, quality, or part <Does the camera carry a guarantee?>

: to have for sale <The market carries fresh fish.>

: to go over or travel a distance <His voice carried across the river.>

: ¹support 1, bear <The building has pillars that carry an arch.>

: ¹win 3 <He will carry the election.>

: to hold or bear the body or some part of it <Carry your head high.>

: to sing in correct pitch <Can you carry a tune?>

: to present to the public <The story was carried on the evening news.> <The paper carries weather reports.>

— carry away

: to cause strong feeling in <The music carried her away.>

— carry on

: to behave in an improper or excited manner <Ramona cried and carried on so … that they sent her home. — Barbara Robinson, Best Christmas Pageant>

: manage 1 <They carry on a business.>

: to continue in spite of difficulties <The scientists carried on even without their equipment.>

— carry out

: to put into action or effect

Medical Dictionary

carry

transitive verb car·ry \ˈkar-ē\

car·riedcar·ry·ing

Medical Definition of CARRY

: to harbor (a pathogen) within the body <many are unaware they carry the virus and could be infecting others—Donald MacGillis>

: to possess a specified gene <women who carry genes that increase the risk of breast cancer—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>