baggage

1 of 2

noun (1)

bag·​gage ˈba-gij 

1

: suitcases, trunks, and personal belongings of travelers : luggage

2

: transportable equipment especially of a military force

3

: intangible things (such as feelings, circumstances, or beliefs) that get in the way

emotional baggage

baggage

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

dated : a contemptible or disreputable woman

"I can buy her off. If she took money from him—the mercenary, painted baggage!—why, then, she'll take it from me."

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

2

dated : a young woman

Examples of baggage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lost or delayed baggage: Compensation for essentials if your luggage is delayed, damaged, or lost. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

The institution has a lot of baggage, as any organization with nearly two millennia and a few crusades under its cincture is bound to have. —J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Each bachelor brings his own story, his own baggage, and his own version of what Black love should look like. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025

Musk, personally, carries some negative baggage that could hurt. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bagage, from Middle French, from bagues belongings, baggage

Noun (2)

probably modification of Middle French bagasse, from Old Occitan bagassa

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing baggage

• bag and baggage
• baggage claim
• hand baggage

Kids Definition

baggage

noun

bag·​gage

ˈbag-ij

: the traveling bags and personal belongings of a traveler : luggage