red-carpet

adjective red-car·pet \ ˈred-ˈkär-pət \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of red-carpet

: marked by ceremonial courtesy

red-carpet treatment

See red-carpet defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of red-carpet

from the traditional laying down of a red carpet for important guests to walk on

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1947

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

red carpet

noun

Definition of red carpet

: a greeting or reception marked by ceremonial courtesy —usually used in the phrase roll out the red carpet

See red carpet defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of red carpet from the Web

Joining her on the red carpet (actually red floral) at the Castro theater Thursday night was her daughter-in-law, retired Army veteran Laila Ireland, who also is interviewed in the documentary about her transition from male to female.

— ruthe stein, SFChronicle.com, "Proud family attends S.F. Frameline LBGTQ film fest opening of ‘TransMilitary’," 15 June 2018
There were countless crowns, tons of tiaras, a handful of heavenly halos, and a very bling-y papal hat worn by none other than Rihanna on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala.

— amber kallor, Allure, "How Lily Aldridge’s Simple Knotted Hairstyle for the 2018 Met Gala Came to Life," 8 May 2018
The event involved a red carpet, praise from Robert De Niro, and strawberries dipped in chocolate at an open-bar after-party.

— ian parker, The New Yorker, "The Times’ Dean Baquet Gets His Closeup in “The Fourth Estate”," 7 May 2018
China rolled out the red carpet for Mr Kim in March, thawing relations after a deep chill.

— The Economist, "An outbreak of summitry is a relief for South Koreans," 5 May 2018
Co-star Julie Bowen, who walked the red carpet draped in an Auburn scarf, felt the same.

— jeremy henderson, AL.com, "How national media covered Melissa McCarthy's trip to Auburn," 2 May 2018
Top Chef guest judge Graham Elliot and head judge Tom Colicchio talked with Courier Journal's Kirby Adams on the red carpet at Kentucky Derby 2018.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "Padma Lakshmi dishes on Louisville food, 'Top Chef' and staying simple," 29 May 2018
Arianna and Emily talk with Normani about going solo, future collaborations, and black women being more than a trend on the red carpet at the Billboard Awards.

— shannon carlin, refinery29.com, "Beyoncé's Advice To Normani Was Life Altering," 21 May 2018
The singer walked the red carpet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas while sporting a chic, straightened lob that was parted in the middle and cropped to just below her shoulders.

— andrea park, Allure, "Kelly Clarkson Debuted a Sleek Lob on the 2018 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet," 20 May 2018

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