red carpet

American  

noun

1. a red strip of carpet placed on the ground for high-ranking dignitaries to walk on when entering or leaving a building, vehicle, or the like.

2. 1. an area abutting the entrance to a building, usually carpeted in red, where celebrities gather and walk before participating in or taking their seats at a big event.

      The winning actress had of course been interviewed on the red carpet before the Academy Awards.

   2. the activity that goes on in this area.

      Six reporters will be covering the red carpet at the charity's annual gala.

3. a display of courtesy or deference, as that shown to persons of high station.

   The visiting prince was treated to the red carpet in Rome.

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red carpet British  

noun

1. a strip of red carpeting laid for important dignitaries to walk on when arriving or departing

2. 1. deferential treatment accorded to a person of importance

   2. ( as modifier )

      the returning hero had a red-carpet reception

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red carpet Idioms  

1. Honorary treatment, lavish hospitality, as in We'll have to get out the red carpet for the President's visit. This term comes from the literal practice of rolling out a carpet to welcome a royal or other esteemed guest, and indeed is often put as roll out the red carpet. [Early 1900s]

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Other Word Forms

• red-carpet
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of red carpet

First recorded in 1930–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

red carpet

Concede a penalty on halfway and you are rolling out the red carpet into the red zone.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

“Which schools are going to roll out the red carpet for you and bribe you to come?” he says.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2026

Likewise, elusive it-girl Alexa Demie often uses rare red carpet appearances to present the shadowy, soft glamour of gothic cinema.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

The assembled Defense Department officials gave the Venezuelan billionaire the red carpet treatment, lining up to shake his hand, according to people familiar with the meeting.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026

His footsteps rang on the stone, and then were muffled as he came on to the red carpet by the altar rail.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

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