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

The format itself is less appealing to many younger viewers, who prefer to watch clips of performances, acceptance speeches and red carpet walks on their phone rather than sit through a three-hour ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

The model debuted her baby bump in May at the Cannes Film Festival, where the couple posed together while walking a red carpet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron rolled out the red carpet at the Élysée Palace, and 80,000 young Catholics packed the Stade de France for a prayer vigil, replete with musical performances and fireworks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

They spoke briefly before walking side by side down the red carpet and posing for photos.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

According to what my dad told us later, the guy said, “We’ll roll out the red carpet, then.”

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez

Related Words

• welcome mat