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

Etymology

Origin of red carpet

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

red carpet

Concerned tourism operators in some US border states are rolling out the red carpet with discounts for Canadians.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Today, that red carpet is rapidly being pulled back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

It seems like every new project, every red carpet premiere brings “shocking” stories of his “new look.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Critics say Bangkok should not be rolling out the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing, who has been sanctioned by several Western nations and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

A dirty red carpet, with huge gum-stained circles as big as cherries covered the floor.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez

Related Words

• welcome mat