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

Did DeSantis call Uthmeier on the carpet and sternly instruct him to follow the law? —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026

The space is full of playful contrasts—checkered wallpaper from Schumacher, a leopard-print carpet, and a whimsical Avalon rattan daybed by Serena & Lily. —Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2026

Chase Infiniti swapped the red carpet of the Oscars last weekend for the purple carpet, as the series provided a splashy opening to this year’s Series Mania drama fest. —Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2026

For bedrooms, carpet is a fine choice. —Alora Bopray, USA Today, 20 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