# carry

/ˈkæɹi/ (US) · /kˈæɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carry
Updated: 2026-05-29

## Senses

### 1. to transport while holding

verb · CEFR A1

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

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

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

### 2. to have on your person

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

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

### 3. to stock in a shop

verb · CEFR B1

to have a particular product available for customers to buy.

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

- Does this pharmacy carry the brand of vitamins my doctor recommended?
- The boutique specializes in local designers and does not carry mass-produced labels from international fashion houses.

### 4. to be pregnant

verb · CEFR B2

to be pregnant with a baby.

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

- She is carrying twins and is expected to give birth in July.
- The midwife noted that the patient was carrying the baby quite low, which is common in the final weeks of the third trimester.

### 5. to win or pass a motion

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The motion to build a new park was carried by a large majority.
- Despite fierce opposition from the minority party, the resolution was carried after a lengthy debate in the assembly.

### 6. to behave (oneself)

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

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

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

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- On a quiet night, the sound of the train can carry for miles.
- The golfer watched as his drive carried the water hazard and landed safely on the green.

### 8. to support a team

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- The star player really carried the team during the final minutes of the game.
- In many online competitive games, a single highly skilled player can carry their less experienced teammates to an unlikely victory.

### 9. math transfer

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- Don't forget to add the carry when you sum up the tens column.
- The student failed the exam because they consistently neglected the carry in multi-digit addition problems.

### 10. distance of a shot

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- His drive had a carry of 250 yards before it started to roll.
- Professional golfers must precisely calculate their carry to avoid bunkers that sit directly in the flight path of the ball.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.