tapestry
noun
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Several languages weave through the history of tapestry, which comes from a Greek word meaning “carpet” and traveled through Anglo-French and Middle English before arriving in modern English in the 15th century. Tapestry originally referred to a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery, and characterized by complicated pictorial designs. It still does today, but the word has fittingly developed a “tapestry” of additional senses. It may describe a nonreversible imitation of tapestry used chiefly for upholstery, or embroidery on canvas resembling woven tapestry. It can also refer figuratively to anything made up of different parts, as in “nature’s rich tapestry.” Tapestry isn’t the only art word that’s developed a figurative “medley” sense; collage (“a work of art made by adhering pieces of different materials (such as paper, cloth, or wood) to a flat surface”) and mosaic (“a decoration made by inlaying small pieces of variously colored material (such as glass or ceramic) to form pictures or patterns”) are both used figuratively to mean “a collection of different things.”
Examples of tapestry in a Sentence
Alison Herman, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
The property’s gardens are special—a lush tapestry that includes a chicken coop, bee box, plum and apricot trees, cherries, grapevines and blackberries.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Traveling to the Real Unreal Universe in Grapevine, this family-friendly multiverse captivates guests with lush tapestries and imaginary swamp-suburban realms.
—Malik Peay, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Bense recently collaborated with South African artist Francis VH on two custom mohair tapestries for an apartment at 60 Curzon.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tapestry
Cite this Entry
“Tapestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapestry. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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tapestry
noun
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