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

see also:

on the carpet

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 trail takes visitors along Rottenwood Creek where, at this time of year, thousands of dimpled trout lilies (Erythronium umbilicatum) create bright yellow carpets on the hillsides and stream banks. —Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Removing Stains From An Outdoor Rug Pretreat any stains on the rug by using a soft-bristle brush to gently work carpet cleaner or stain remover into the stain. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026

Berber Inspired by the weaving style of the Berber people of North Africa, wall-to-wall Berber carpets took off in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. —Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 2026

Instead of loud music, dark rooms and flashing lights, the store offers a quiet space with chairs, a carpet, some hummus and wine and a collection of books at your disposal for at least an hour. —Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026

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