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.

---

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

---

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]

---

Other Word Forms

• red-carpet adjective

Etymology

Origin of red carpet

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Bratt said he has toned down some snippiness at news conferences when he doesn’t like a question, and looks comfortable hobnobbing with athletes and celebrities on the red carpet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Just off a busy sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan, a red carpet leads to a freight elevator.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Cate Blanchett, Rachel Zegler, and Paddington Bear were among the stars walking the red carpet at this year's Olivier Awards, which celebrate the best of British theatre.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Munir also greeted Vance, escorting him down a red carpet at the Nur Khan air base, where US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were already waiting.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

A long red carpet was rolled out on the ice, and the announcer introduced the game’s dignitaries.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• welcome mat