tapestry

noun

tap·​es·​try ˈta-pə-strē How to pronounce tapestry (audio)
plural tapestries
1
a
: a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery and characterized by complicated pictorial designs
b
: a nonreversible imitation of tapestry used chiefly for upholstery
c
: embroidery on canvas resembling woven tapestry
needlepoint tapestry
2
: something resembling tapestry (as in complexity or richness of design)
nature's rich tapestry

Examples of tapestry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Although the freedom of using inexpensive digital video had inspired the project, Jia mixes and matches media throughout Caught by the Tides, leading to a tapestry of cinematic textures that begins to border on the abstract. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 May 2025 Street performers are part of the tapestry of London’s answer to Times Square. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 May 2025 But will those centers be a mere nod to Palawan's cultural tapestry that spans 87 cultural groups? R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 The film often feels like a mazy tapestry of moods and situations, rather than a traditional narrative. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tapestry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, modification of Anglo-French tapicerie, from tapit, tapis carpet, hanging, from Greek tapētion, diminutive of tapēt-, tapēs carpet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tapestry was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Tapestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapestry. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

tapestry

noun
tap·​es·​try ˈtap-ə-strē How to pronounce tapestry (audio)
plural tapestries
: a heavy cloth that has designs or pictures woven into it and is used especially as a wall hanging
tapestried
-strēd
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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