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

See Examples For:

red carpet

He refused to leave the pitch for eight minutes before ultimately taking a seat on the red carpet that had been exclusively reserved for Queen Elizabeth II.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

And it is not alone: Min Aung Hlaing has in recent weeks enjoyed red carpet treatment in India and Laos as well as Beijing.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Now we await a reprise of her jeans and white T-shirt red carpet look from last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Erdogan rolled out the red carpet for Trump, greeting him at the airport lined by a full complement of military guards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 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

Related Words

• welcome mat