carpet

noun car·pet \ ˈkär-pət \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of carpet

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

— on the carpet

: before an authority for censure or reproof

got called on the carpet by his boss

See carpet defined for English-language learners

See carpet defined for kids

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 of carpet from the Web

One of the Durangos had a pair of stiletto heels atop the case; Arman put the two consoles in his oversize backpack and left the fancy shoes on the carpet.

— brendan i. koerner, WIRED, "The Young and the Reckless," 17 Apr. 2018
Seacrest had long been seen as one of the most inoffensive A-listers—a figure whose role, as host of red-carpet coverage and of ABC’s Live!, is to reflect back the light emitted by the star.

— daniel d'addario, Time, "Ryan Seacrest Was Exactly the Distraction the Oscars Didn't Need," 5 Mar. 2018
Tarana Burke, the creator of the viral #MeToo movement, walked the carpet Sunday with her sister.

— Bloomberg.com, "‘The Shape of Water’ Wins Best Picture at the Oscars," 4 Mar. 2018
For example, at the Golden Globes, multiple actresses (Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, etc.) walked the carpet with activists.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "Movie Minute: Jennifer Lawrence's Russian accent, Bruce Willis' Death Wish," 1 Mar. 2018
For example, at the Golden Globes, multiple actresses (Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, etc.) walked the carpet with activists.

— emily yahr, chicagotribune.com, "Hollywood's reckoning has transformed the red carpet," 1 Mar. 2018
While all the sisters haven’t walked the carpet, Kendall and Kylie have been at Golden Globes parties in the past and likely will continue to go.

— kara nesvig, Teen Vogue, "Kendall Jenner’s Golden Globes 2018 Appearance Sparked Criticism," 9 Jan. 2018
America wore a gorgeous sequined, floor-length gown with a train and walked down the carpet with other Hollywood heavyweights like Nicole Kidman... ... Emma Stone and Billie Jean King...

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "America Ferrera Debuted Her Baby Bump While Standing up for An Amazing Cause at the Golden Globes," 8 Jan. 2018
And, well, sometimes that means not covering your grays before a major red-carpet appearance.

— lauren levinson, Glamour, "Seeing Women in Their 30s With Gray Roots Inspired Me to Leave Mine Alone," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carpet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of carpet

Middle English, from Medieval French carpite, from Old Italian carpita, from carpire to pluck, modification of Latin carpere to pluck — more at harvest

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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CARPET Defined for English Language Learners

carpet

noun

Definition of carpet for English Language Learners

: a heavy fabric cover for a floor
: a thick covering : a thick layer of something

CARPET Defined for Kids

carpet

noun car·pet \ ˈkär-pət \

Definition of carpet for Students

1 : a heavy woven fabric used especially as a floor covering

2 : a covering like a carpet

a carpet of grass

carpet

verb

Definition of carpet for Students

carpeted; carpeting

: to cover with or as if with a carpet

… a maple tree … was carpeting the bank with crimson leaves.
—Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for carpet Spanish Central: Translation of carpet Nglish: Translation of carpet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of carpet for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carpet

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carpet

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carpet

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carpet

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