Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈkærɪər/

Definitions

• A person or thing that carries or transports something.
• A vehicle or ship used for transporting goods or people.
• An organism that carries a disease-causing pathogen but shows no symptoms of the disease.
• A company or organization that provides a particular service, especially transportation or communication.
• A gene or individual that carries a recessive trait without expressing it.

Usage Examples

• The mail carrier delivered the package to my doorstep.
• The carrier pigeon flew across the city to deliver the message.
• The ship is a carrier of military personnel and supplies.
• He is a carrier of the gene for color blindness, though he doesn't have the condition.
• The company is a major carrier of telecommunications services in the region.

Etymology

From the Middle English "carrier," derived from the Old French "carrier," meaning a bearer or transporter, from the verb "carier," meaning to carry, which itself originates from the Late Latin "carriare," meaning to transport by cart.

Synonyms

• Transporter
• Conveyor
• Porter
• Messenger
• Deliverer

Antonyms

• Receiver
• Receiver
• Destination
• End

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In some regions, the pronunciation may shift slightly. For example, in American English, it may sound like "ka-ree-er," while in British English, it is often pronounced "kar-ee-uh." Regional accents may also influence the emphasis on certain syllables.

Historical Usage

The word "carrier" has evolved from its earlier meanings, primarily referring to a person or thing that transports goods or messages. It began to expand in the 20th century to include technological and biological meanings, such as in reference to telecommunications companies and organisms that carry diseases.

Cultural Nuances

The concept of a "carrier" is important in many cultures, particularly when considering transportation and communication. In the context of disease, a "carrier" can also refer to an individual who unknowingly spreads a condition, which carries significant cultural implications, particularly in the understanding and stigma of diseases like tuberculosis or COVID-19.

More Information

The term "carrier" is widely used in various fields, from logistics and transportation to genetics and medicine. In transportation, a "carrier" refers to any entity that transports goods or passengers, such as a truck, ship, or airline. In genetics, a "carrier" is someone who carries a gene for a genetic disorder without showing symptoms. The word also has biological significance, where it refers to an organism that harbors a pathogen without showing symptoms of the disease, such as a person carrying the virus for a contagious illness.