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

As the authors explain, reducing the cost of housing construction would lead to more housing being built, which has downstream impacts on the demand for appliances, furniture, carpet, decks, and all the other things that make a house a home. —Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

While he's sat front row at shows and shot campaigns for brands such as COS, he's also put effort into his personal style on and off the carpet. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 24 June 2025

In its hunt for space, HSBC is likely to run into competitors ranging from Wall Street majors to smaller rivals who are similarly seeking to scale up their carpet area after slashing real estate in the aftermath of the pandemic. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 June 2025

The Best Room No. 3, a hillside-facing suite featuring collector-grade antique carpets and a gallery wall of botanical prints. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 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