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

The pair posed for pictures together on the carpet. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 12 June 2025

The same is true for replacing carpet with tile, not including the installation fees. —Jessica Meszaros, NPR, 12 June 2025

Burberry isn’t the only fashion house bringing fabrics typical of curtains and carpets to the catwalk. —Sarah Wood González, Architectural Digest, 10 June 2025

The Canadian film and TV industry won’t be sweeping efforts to boost diversity, equity and inclusion as part of a racial reckoning under the carpet anytime soon in the face of the Donald Trump administration’s DEI crackdown. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

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
• 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