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
Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2025
From mid-October to early November, this small town on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—and the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway—is surrounded by a tapestry of brilliant colors.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Housing a collection encompassing six decades of Husain’s practice, including paintings, films, tapestries, photographs, poetry, and installations, the museum will be the world’s first and largest devoted to the artist’s work.
—News Desk, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, the Italian carabinieri art squad executed the seizure of 21 pieces of tapestries, drawings and engravings following a judge’s warrant.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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tapestry
noun
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