Definition of carry verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

carry

verb

ˈkæri

ˈkæri

carries, carrying, carried, carried

take with you

1 [transitive] carry somebody/something to support the weight of somebody/something and take them or it from place to place; to take somebody/something from one place to anotherHe was carrying a suitcase.She carried her baby in her arms.The injured were carried away on stretchers.a train carrying commuters to work

2 [transitive] carry something to have something with you and take it wherever you goPolice in many countries carry guns.I never carry much money on me.

of pipes/wires

3 [transitive] carry something to contain and direct the flow of water, electricity, etca pipeline carrying oilThe veins carry blood to the heart.

disease

4 [transitive] carry something if a person, an insect, etc. carries a disease, they are infected with it and might spread it to others although they might not become sick themselvesTicks can carry a nasty disease which affects humans.

remember

5 [transitive] carry something in your head/mind to be able to remember something

support weight

6 [transitive] carry something to support the weight of somethingA road bridge has to carry a lot of traffic.

responsibility

7 [transitive] carry something to accept responsibility for something; to suffer the results of somethingHe is carrying the department (= it is only working because of his efforts).Their group was targeted to carry the burden of job losses.

have as quality/feature

8 [transitive] carry something to have something as a quality or featureHer speech carried the ring of authority.My views don't carry much weight with (= have much influence on) the boss.Each bike carries a ten-year guarantee.9 [transitive] carry something to have something as a resultCrimes of violence carry heavy penalties.Being a combat sport, karate carries with it the risk of injury.

of throw/kick

10 [intransitive] + noun + adverb/preposition if something that is thrown, kicked, etc. carries a particular distance, it travels that distance before stoppingThe fullback's kick carried 50 metres into the crowd.

of sound

11 [intransitive] (+ adverb/preposition) if a sound carries, it can be heard a long distance away

take to place/position

12 [transitive] carry something/somebody to/into something to take something/somebody to a particular point or in a particular directionThe war was carried into enemy territory.Her abilities carried her to the top of her profession.

approval/support

13 [transitive, usually passive] carry something to approve of something by more people voting for it than against itThe resolution was carried by 340 votes to 210.14 [transitive] to win the support or sympathy of somebody; to persuade people to accept your argumentcarry somebody His moving speech was enough to carry the audience.carry something She nodded in agreement, and he saw he had carried his point.

have label

15 [transitive] carry something to have a particular label or piece of information attachedCigarettes carry a health warning.

news story

16 [transitive] carry something if a newspaper or broadcast carries a particular story, it publishes or broadcasts it

item in store

17 [transitive] carry something if a shop/store carries a particular item, it has it for saleWe carry a range of educational software.

baby

18 [transitive] be carrying somebody to be pregnant with somebodyShe was carrying twins.

yourself

19 [transitive] carry yourself + adverb/preposition to hold or move your head or body in a particular wayto carry yourself well

adding numbers

20 [transitive] carry something to add a number to the next column on the left when adding up numbers, for example when the numbers add up to more than ten

Idioms

be/get carried away

to get very excited or lose control of your feelings

I got carried away and started shouting at the television.

carry all/everything before you

to be completely successful

carry the ball

(US, informal) to take responsibility for getting something doneMy co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball.

carry the can (for somebody/something)

(British English, informal) to accept the blame for something, especially when it is not your fault

carry a torch for somebody

to be in love with somebody, especially somebody who does not love you in return

more at carry/win the day at day, carry/take something too, etc. far at far adverb, as fast as your legs can carry you at fast adverb, fetch and carry at fetch

Phrasal verbs

carry somebody back (to something)

to make somebody remember a time in the pastThe smell of the sea carried her back to her childhood.

carry something forward

(also carry something over) to move a total amount from one column or page to the next

carry something off

1 to win somethingHe carried off most of the prizes.2 to succeed in doing something that most people would find difficultShe's had her hair cut really short, but she can carry it off.

carry on

1 (especially British English) to continue movingCarry on until you get to the junction, then turn left.2 (informal) to argue or complain noisilyHe was shouting and carrying on. related noun carry-on

carry on (with something)

carry something on

to continue doing somethingCarry on with your work while I'm away.After he left I just tried to carry on as normal (= do the things I usually do).Carry on the good work!carry doing something He carried on peeling the potatoes.

carry on (with somebody)

(old-fashioned) to have a sexual relationship with somebody when you should notHis wife found out he'd been carrying on with another woman.

carry something out

1 to do something that you have said you will do or have been asked to doto carry out a promise/a threat/a plan/an order

2 to do and complete a taskto carry out an inquiry/an investigation/a surveyExtensive tests have been carried out on the patient.

carry over

to continue to exist in a different situationAttitudes learned at home carry over into the playground.

carry something over

1 to keep something from one situation and use it or deal with it in a different situation2 to delay something until a later timeThe match had to be carried over until Sunday.3 = carry something forward

carry somebody through

carry somebody through something

to help somebody to survive a difficult periodHis determination carried him through the ordeal.

carry something through

to complete something successfullyIt's a difficult job but she's the person to carry it through.

carry through (on/with something)

(North American English) to do what you have said you will doHe has proved he can carry through on his promises.