carrier Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun someone whose employment involves carrying something
toter; bearer.
- the bonds were transmitted by carrier
noun a self-propelled wheeled vehicle designed specifically to carry something
- refrigerated carriers have revolutionized the grocery business
noun a large warship that carries planes and has a long flat deck for takeoffs and landings
attack aircraft carrier; aircraft carrier; flattop.
noun an inactive substance that is a vehicle for a radioactive tracer of the same substance and that assists in its recovery after some chemical reaction
noun a person or firm in the business of transporting people or goods or messages
common carrier.
noun a radio wave that can be modulated in order to transmit a signal
carrier wave.
noun a man who delivers the mail
mail carrier; letter carrier; mailman; postman.
noun a boy who delivers newspapers
newsboy.
noun (medicine) a person (or animal) who has some pathogen to which he is immune but who can pass it on to others
immune carrier.
noun a rack attached to a vehicle; for carrying luggage or skis or the like
noun (genetics) an organism that possesses a recessive gene whose effect is masked by a dominant allele; the associated trait is not apparent but can be passed on to offspring

From Carry.

One who, or that which, carries or conveys; a messenger.
The air which is but . . . a carrier of the sounds. Bacon.
One who is employed, or makes it his business, to carry goods for others for hire; a porter; a teamster.
The roads are crowded with carriers, laden with rich manufactures. Swift.
(Mach.) That which drives or carries; as: (a) A piece which communicates to an object in a lathe the motion of the face plate; a lathe dog. (b) A spool holder or bobbin holder in a braiding machine. (c) A movable piece in magazine guns which transfers the cartridge to a position from which it can be thrust into the barrel.