What does "carry" mean?

1. (to transport while holding) to pick something up and move it from one place to another. 2. (to have on your person) to have something with you in your pocket, bag, or hand. 3. (to stock in a shop) to have a particular product available for customers to buy. 4. (to be pregnant) to be pregnant with a baby. 5. (to win or pass a motion) to win a vote or convince people to support an idea. 6. (to behave (oneself)) the way you stand, walk, or behave in front of others. 7. (to reach a distance) for a sound or a ball to travel a long way through the air. 8. (to support a team) to do most of the work for a group or team that is struggling. 9. (math transfer) the number you move to the next column when adding numbers. 10. (distance of a shot) the distance a ball travels in the air before hitting the ground.

How do you use "carry"?

Transitive verb requiring a direct object. Often used with 'around' to suggest habitual possession. Always used reflexively with 'himself', 'herself', etc.

Is it correct to say "I carried the groceries to the car with my hands."?

No — say "I carried the groceries to the car in my arms.". You carry things 'in' your arms or 'with' your hands, but 'in' is more common for the physical act of holding.

carry

US //ˈkæɹi// UK //kˈæɹi// car·ry

1 to transport while holding (v.)
A1 Beginner

to pick something up and move it from one place to another.

to support and move someone or something from one place to another while holding them.

Example

He helped her carry the heavy suitcases up the stairs to her room.

Example

The porters were instructed to carry the delicate equipment across the courtyard to ensure it remained level during transit.

Usage

Transitive verb requiring a direct object.
- drop
- leave
Pitfall

I carried the groceries to the car with my hands.

I carried the groceries to the car in my arms.

You carry things 'in' your arms or 'with' your hands, but 'in' is more common for the physical act of holding.
2 to have on your person (v.)
A2 Elementary

to have something with you in your pocket, bag, or hand.

to have something on one's person, such as in a pocket or bag, for ready use.

Example

I always carry a spare house key in my wallet just in case.

Example

In many jurisdictions, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon without a specific permit from the local authorities.

Usage

Often used with 'around' to suggest habitual possession.
- bear
- possess

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3 to stock in a shop (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to have a particular product available for customers to buy.

to keep a regular stock of a specific type of goods for sale.

Example

Does this pharmacy carry the brand of vitamins my doctor recommended?

Example

The boutique specializes in local designers and does not carry mass-produced labels from international fashion houses.
4 to be pregnant (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

to be pregnant with a baby.

to be pregnant with a foetus; often used to describe the physical appearance or position of the pregnancy.

Example

She is carrying twins and is expected to give birth in July.

Example

The midwife noted that the patient was carrying the baby quite low, which is common in the final weeks of the third trimester.
- expecting
5 to win or pass a motion (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

to win a vote or convince people to support an idea.

to gain victory in a contest or to have a proposal officially accepted by a majority vote.

Example

The motion to build a new park was carried by a large majority.

Example

Despite fierce opposition from the minority party, the resolution was carried after a lengthy debate in the assembly.
- fail
- lose
6 to behave (oneself) (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

the way you stand, walk, or behave in front of others.

to behave or conduct oneself in a specified manner, particularly regarding posture and social grace.

Example

He carries himself with a lot of confidence when he speaks in public.

Example

She carried herself with a quiet dignity that commanded respect from everyone in the courtroom.

Usage

Always used reflexively with 'himself', 'herself', etc.
7 to reach a distance (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

for a sound or a ball to travel a long way through the air.

to be transmitted over a distance; used for sound, projectiles, or sports balls.

Example

On a quiet night, the sound of the train can carry for miles.

Example

The golfer watched as his drive carried the water hazard and landed safely on the green.
- travel
- reach
8 to support a team (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Sport

to do most of the work for a group or team that is struggling.

to be responsible for the majority of a group's success, often by compensating for the poor performance of others.

Example

The star player really carried the team during the final minutes of the game.

Example

In many online competitive games, a single highly skilled player can carry their less experienced teammates to an unlikely victory.
- support
- lead
9 math transfer (n.)
B1 Intermediate Math

the number you move to the next column when adding numbers.

the digit transferred from one column of a calculation to the next more significant column.

Example

Don't forget to add the carry when you sum up the tens column.

Example

The student failed the exam because they consistently neglected the carry in multi-digit addition problems.
10 distance of a shot (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Sport

the distance a ball travels in the air before hitting the ground.

the distance a ball travels through the air from the point of impact until it first touches the ground.

Example

His drive had a carry of 250 yards before it started to roll.

Example

Professional golfers must precisely calculate their carry to avoid bunkers that sit directly in the flight path of the ball.
- distance
- range

Idioms19 entries