carpet

noun

car·​pet ˈkär-pət 

1

: a heavy often tufted fabric used as a floor covering

also : a floor covering made of this fabric

2

: a surface or layer resembling or suggesting a carpet

carpet verb

Phrases

on the carpet

: before an authority for censure or reproof

got called on the carpet by his boss

Examples of carpet in a Sentence

We bought a new carpet for the bedroom.

Which brand of carpet did you choose?

The ground was covered by a carpet of leaves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Equipped with 25,000 pascals of suction power, this stick vacuum easily sucks up debris, crumbs, dust, and pet hair off tile, hardwood flooring, carpets, and more. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

The Santa Monica project was the fork in the road for us: getting manufacturers to divulge what’s in that adhesive and what’s in that carpet. —Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

The California Tenant Guide says minor marks or nicks in walls, small defects to carpets, drapes and other furnishings are some examples of normal wear and tear. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024

On our first evening the piano bar—resplendent in gold Thai silks, with tiger orchids blooming across the green carpet—was filled with laughter, the glug-glug-glug of Champagne pouring, and the tinkle of keys. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French carpite, from Old Italian carpita, from carpire to pluck, modification of Latin carpere to pluck — more at harvest

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carpet

• Brussels carpet
• call (someone) on the carpet
• carpet beetle
• carpet bomb
• carpet slipper
• carpet sweeper
• magic carpet
• on the carpet
• red carpet
• roll out the red carpet
• sweep (something) under the carpet
• tapestry carpet

Kids Definition

carpet

noun

car·​pet ˈkär-pət 

1

: a heavy fabric used especially as a floor covering

2

: a covering like a carpet

carpet verb