carpet

American  

[kahr-pit] / ˈkɑr pɪt /

noun

1. a heavy fabric, commonly of wool or nylon, for covering floors.

2. a covering of this material.

3. any relatively soft surface or covering like a carpet.

   They walked on the carpet of grass.

4. any of a number of airborne electronic devices for jamming radar.

5. a system of such devices.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover or furnish with or as with a carpet.

2. Chiefly British. to reprimand.

idioms

1. on the carpet,

   1. before an authority or superior for an accounting of one's actions or a reprimand.

      He was called on the carpet again for his carelessness.

   2. Chiefly British. under consideration or discussion.

carpet British  

/ ˈkɑːpɪt /

noun

1. 1. a heavy fabric for covering floors

   2. ( as modifier )

      a carpet sale

2. a covering like a carpet

   a carpet of leaves

3. informal

   1. before authority to be reproved for misconduct or error

   2. under consideration

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verb

1. to cover with or as if with a carpet

2. informal to reprimand

carpet More Idioms  

1. see call on the carpet; red carpet. Also see under rug.

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Other Word Forms

• carpetless adjective
• carpetlike adjective
• recarpet verb (used with object)
• uncarpeted adjective
• well-carpeted adjective

Etymology

Origin of carpet

1300–50; Middle English carpete cloth covering for a table, floor, bed, etc. < Middle French carpite or Medieval Latin carpīta < Italian carpita woolen bedspread < Vulgar Latin *carpīta, past participle of carpīre, for Latin carpere to pluck, card (wool)

Example Sentences

Diagonal lights on wood ceiling panels are perfectly aligned with white lines on the restaurant’s carpet.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Ohio One’s travails argue for a stable and friendly business climate to attract investment instead of rolling “out the red carpet for any one particular business,” as Mr. Lawson puts it.

From The Wall Street Journal

His first major foreign trip was in a spring 2025 visit to the three states, where pledges of investment were sandwiched between grandiose welcomes on red and lavender-colored carpets and splashy dinners.

From The Wall Street Journal

Widely regarded as the pinnacle for any canine and its owner, both have travelled in unprecedented numbers from around the world this year to come to heel on Crufts' famous green carpets.

From Barron's

John knows he’s going to be called on the carpet, to the extent that a public hearing will be held and witnesses summoned.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carpeting
• rug
• tapestry