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

If the stain is in a high-traffic area or if the carpet has sentimental or financial value (or even is an antique), bringing in a professional sooner rather than later is a smart move. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

Others — like us — wait until the needles form their own carpet. —Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

So, whether Williams is going in a forward motion or in reverse, the vacuum does an excellent job of picking up hair and other debris on any floor type—whether bare floors of carpet. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2025

Thumbtack says that homeowners are ditching carpet in favor of long-lasting hardwood or stone, hoping to cut down on future maintenance. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 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