What does carrycot mean?
A carrycot is a small, portable bed for an infant, commonly designed to fit securely on a pram or other travel system. Its rigid frame and enclosed or hooded design allow a baby to be carried comfortably, whether awake or asleep. In British usage, the word often refers specifically to the detachable bassinet unit that forms part of a pram, giving parents a way to transfer a sleeping child without waking them. Although used in both British and American English, it is less common in North America, where “bassinet” or “infant carrier” may be more usual. The word is also associated with travel-system equipment, including models whose carrycot can be attached to a stroller chassis or fitted into a vehicle. Its compound form makes its function immediately clear: it is a “cot,” or small bed, intended to “carry” a child.
nounA small portable bed or bassinet for an infant, usually attached to or removable from a wheeled pram and designed for carrying a baby.
- A portable infant bed, typically part of a pram or travel system, used to carry and sometimes transport a sleeping baby.
"She placed the sleeping baby in the carrycot before taking the pram for a walk."
"The carrycot was lifted from the chassis and secured inside the car."
"A lightweight folding carrycot makes it easier to travel with an infant."
The standard plural adds “-s” to the end of the word.
"The shop displays several carrycots for travel systems."
A carrycot is literally a cot made to travel: a portable baby bed that joins the family on the move.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does carrycot come from?
Carrycot is an English compound formed from “carry” and “cot.” “Carry” comes through Old French carier from Latin roots associated with carrus, a wheeled vehicle, while “cot” is an old English word for a small shelter or bed. The compound developed as a term for a portable infant bed or bassinet.
How carrycot is actually used
The term is especially common in British English for the detachable bassinet unit supplied with a pram. In North American English, “bassinet” or “infant carrier” may be preferred.
Easily confused with carrycot
A bassinet can be a standalone baby bed, while a carrycot usually denotes the portable unit fitted to a pram or travel system.
A pram is the complete wheeled baby vehicle, whereas a carrycot is the detachable or integral bed unit that may form part of it.