# carrying

/ˈkæɹiɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈæɹɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carrying
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. holding and moving

verb · CEFR A2

holding something and moving it from one place to another.

For teachers: the act of transporting or conveying something while supporting its weight.

- She was carrying a heavy box of books up the stairs to her new apartment.
- The porters were seen carrying the diplomat's luggage through the crowded terminal with remarkable speed and efficiency.

Usage: Often used with 'around' to imply moving with an object for a long time.

### 2. having on your person

verb · CEFR B1

having something with you in your pocket, bag, or hand.

For teachers: possessing or bearing something on one's person.

- Are you carrying any cash, or should we find a bank machine?
- The suspect was apprehended while carrying several items of identification that did not belong to him.

Usage: Commonly used in legal or security contexts regarding weapons or identification.

### 3. supporting weight

verb · CEFR B2

holding up the weight of something so it does not fall.

For teachers: supporting the weight of a structure or object.

- These old wooden pillars are still carrying the weight of the entire roof.
- Engineers expressed concern that the central beams were no longer capable of carrying the load required by the new floor plan.

### 4. transportation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act or business of moving goods.

For teachers: the physical act of transporting goods or the capacity to do so.

- The cost of carrying the equipment across the border was higher than expected.
- The logistics firm specialises in the carrying of hazardous materials across international maritime boundaries.

Usage: Usually functions as a gerund noun in formal or technical logistics contexts.

## Examples

- She is carrying a heavy box to the car.
- The delivery driver is carrying several large packages up the stairs to the third floor.
- While the physical act of carrying the equipment was exhausting, the mental burden of carrying the team's expectations proved to be the greater challenge during the expedition.

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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.