welcome mat

American

noun

a doormat, especially one with the word “welcome” printed on it.

idioms

put out the welcome mat, to extend a hearty welcome.

The club put out the welcome mat for new members.

welcome mat More Idioms

A friendly welcome, as in They put out the welcome mat for all new members. This expression alludes to a doormat with the word “Welcome” printed on it. [Mid-1900]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They also are indignant about the government unfurling a welcome mat for Fuyao.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The welcome mat is out for high school coaches.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

Spurs had finally agreed a deal after long negotiations and had the welcome mat ready until the Gunners stepped in to snatch the boyhood Arsenal fan, who was at the club until he was 13.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 2025

That’s why, for its inaugural edition, the art fair Esther put out a welcome mat.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

There was a cat sitting on our welcome mat.

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023