A suitcase is a rectangular container with a handle, designed for carrying clothes and personal items when you travel. Most suitcases have a hard or soft outer shell that protects what's inside, and they close with zippers or latches to keep everything secure during a trip.

Modern suitcases come in many sizes: small ones you can carry onto an airplane, and larger ones that get checked with the airline and retrieved at baggage claim. Many suitcases today have wheels and a telescoping handle, making them easy to pull through airports or train stations.

Before suitcases, travelers used trunks (large, heavy boxes) or carpetbags (soft bags made from carpet material). The invention of lightweight suitcases in the late 1800s made travel much easier. When someone is “living out of a suitcase,” it means they're traveling so much they haven't unpacked or settled anywhere. Packing a suitcase efficiently is its own skill: experienced travelers learn to roll their clothes tightly and fit everything they need into a surprisingly small space.