personal effects

plural noun

: privately owned items (such as clothing and jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person

Examples of personal effects in a Sentence

put all of your personal effects in the bin so that they can be x-rayed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This free-to-access archive offers a rare glimpse into the mind of the genre-defying icon, featuring over 90,000 items, from handwritten lyrics and costumes to private photographs and personal effects. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Despite the incredibly frustrating situation of being stranded in a foreign country without any of her personal effects, Aminata is remaining positive. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 The collection consists of more than 40,000 objects, including early correspondence between Ray and Charles, artwork that predates their meeting, prototypes and process materials, industrial products and personal effects. Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 31 July 2025 About a week after the transfer, the couple went to the funeral home to pick up their son’s personal effects and belongings, which included a white, unmarked cardboard box with a smaller red box inside. USA Today, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for personal effects

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personal effects was in 1818

Cite this Entry

“Personal effects.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20effects. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

personal effects

plural noun
: privately owned items (as clothing or jewelry) normally worn or carried on the person
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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