carry
carry definition
carry (kar′ē)
transitive verb carried -·ried, carrying -·ry·ing
- to hold or support while moving to carry a package
- to take from one place to another; transport, as in a vehicle to carry the mail
- to hold, and direct the motion of; be a channel for; convey a pipe carrying water
- to cause to go; lead or impel his ambition carried him to the top
- to be a medium for the transmission of air carries sounds
- to transfer or extend to carry a wall along a precipice
- to transfer (a figure, entry, account, etc.) from one column, page, time, etc. to the next in order
- to bear the weight of the balusters carry a railing
- to support or sustain when others were injured, Jones carried the team
- to be pregnant with
- to bear as a mark
- to have as a quality, characteristic, consequence, etc.; involve; imply to carry a guarantee
- to have on one's person or keep with one to carry a watch, to carry memories
- to hold or poise (oneself, one's weight, etc.) in a specified way
- to conduct (oneself) in a specified way
- ☆ to include as part of its contents or program schedule: said of a newspaper, radio or TV station, etc.
- to have or keep on a list or register to be carried on the tax list
- ☆ to support financially
- to bear the cost of to carry insurance on a car
- to enable (an opponent, a subordinate, etc.) to continue through one's own efforts, generosity, etc.
- to capture (a fortress, etc.)
- to win over, lead, or influence (a group)
- to gain support or victory for (a cause, point, etc.)
- to win (an election, argument, etc.)
- to gain a majority of the votes in (a district, state, etc.)
- to drink (liquor) without showing the effects
- South to accompany; escort
- ☆ Commerce
- to keep in stock; deal in to carry leather goods
- to keep on one's account books, etc.
- Agric.
- to bear as a crop; produce
- to support (livestock)
- Golf to go past or beyond (an object or expanse) or cover (a distance) with one stroke
- Hunting to keep and follow (a scent)
- Music to sing the notes of (a melody or part) accurately
Etymology: ME carien < Anglo-Fr carier < NormFr carre, car
intransitive verb
- to act as a bearer, conductor, etc.
- to have or cover a range the shot carried to the next hill
- to move easily through the air: said of a propelled object
- to have the intended effect upon those watching or listening
- to hold the head, etc. in a specified way: said of a horse
- to win approval the motion carried
noun pl. carries -·ries
- the range of, or distance covered by, a gun, golf ball, projectile, etc.
- ☆ a portage between two navigable bodies of water
- the act or manner of carrying
carry Idioms
carry forward
- to proceed or progress with
- Bookkeeping to transfer from one column, page, book, or account to another
carry off
- to kill the disease carried off thousands
- to win (a prize, honors, etc.)
- to handle (a delicate situation), esp. with success
carry on
- to engage in; conduct
- to go on (with); continue as before, esp. in the face of difficulties
- Informal to behave in a wild, extravagant, or childish way
- Informal to engage in an illicit love affair
carry out
- to put (plans, instructions, etc.) into practice
- to get done; bring to completion; accomplish
carry over
- to have or be remaining
- to transfer or hold over
- to postpone or allow to postpone; continue
carry through
- to get done; accomplish
- to keep (a person) going; sustain
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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