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tapestry

noun
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tap·​es·​try | \ ˈta-pə-strē How to pronounce tapestry (audio) \
plural tapestries

Definition of tapestry

1a : 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
Other Words from tapestry More Example Sentences Learn More about tapestry

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Examples of tapestry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web They are richly colored, not by box dye but by thousands of shades coming together to form a kind of genetic tapestry. — Paige Stables, Allure, "An Inside Look at the Meticulous Process That Goes Into Great Lengths Hair Extensions," 16 Apr. 2020 Almost everything in the guest rooms is custom-crafted by regional artisans, from baskets woven out of Balinese orchid vines to botanically tinted tapestries. — Rebecca Misner, Condé Nast Traveler, "At These Hotels, the Decor Tells a Hidden Story," 9 Apr. 2020 An Alexander Calder tapestry welcomes guests into the home. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Analisse Taft-Gersten's Connecticut Home Was Designed for Throwing Parties," 9 Mar. 2020 Shana’s melodies weave strong hints of jazz, classical, soulful folk, acoustic pop and a touch of R&B into a distinctive rhythmic tapestry. — Margot Habiby, Dallas News, "Things to do in Richardson this month: Brazilian guitar, 'Barefoot in the Park,’ Black History Month, Renée Taylor and more," 10 Feb. 2020 Bruce Springsteen Springsteen kicked off the summer with his 19th studio album, a solo effort that draws on Western iconography and the unique sounds of Southern California to craft a meditative, reflective tapestry. — EW.com, "EW staff playlist: What we're listening to in October 2019," 2 Oct. 2019 This digital tour brings viewers inside the State Banquet in St. George’s Hall, the Waterloo Chamber, and the Crimson Drawing Room — each one more opulent than the next, with chandeliers, gilded ceilings, and rich tapestries and paintings. — Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, "Tour the Castle Where the Queen Is Self-quarantined From Your Couch," 7 Apr. 2020 But inside its vast space, dozens of tapestries and statues send a breathless message of how much the Chinese territory, now known as a gambling mecca, means to the imposing mainland. — Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, "‘Macau has been the good boy:’ Amid protests, China launches a long-shot campaign for a Hong Kong alternative," 20 Jan. 2020 Despite this tapestry, and the history lessons the stadium provides, intolerant comments marred the City Council’s handling of the proposal. — Kelly Whiteside, New York Times, "Can the Rebirth of a Negro League Stadium Revive a Distressed City?," 13 Oct. 2019

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

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First Known Use of tapestry

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

History and Etymology for tapestry

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

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Time Traveler for tapestry

Time Traveler

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

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Statistics for tapestry

Last Updated

13 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Tapestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapestry. Accessed 6 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for tapestry

tapestry

noun
How to pronounce tapestry (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tapestry

: a heavy cloth that has designs or pictures woven into it and that is used for wall hangings, curtains, etc.
: something made up of different things, people, colors, etc.

See the full definition for tapestry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tapestry

noun
tap·​es·​try | \ ˈta-pə-strē How to pronounce tapestry (audio) \
plural tapestries

Kids Definition of tapestry

: a heavy cloth that has designs or pictures woven into it and is used especially as a wall hanging

Other Words from tapestry

tapestried \ -​strēd \ adjective a tapestried wall

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More from Merriam-Webster on tapestry

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tapestry

Spanish Central: Translation of tapestry

Nglish: Translation of tapestry for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of tapestry for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tapestry

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