carpet

noun

car·​pet ˈkär-pət 

1

: a heavy often tufted fabric used as a floor covering

also : a floor covering made of this fabric

2

: a surface or layer resembling or suggesting a carpet

carpet verb

Phrases

on the carpet

: before an authority for censure or reproof

got called on the carpet by his boss

Examples of carpet in a Sentence

We bought a new carpet for the bedroom.

Which brand of carpet did you choose?

The ground was covered by a carpet of leaves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Roborock’s robot vacuums are packed with smart features like voice detection and a host of sensors that detect obstacles and automatically increase suction power on carpet. —Clint Davis, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article Mayor Brandon Johnson called Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates on the carpet Wednesday afternoon in a bid to avert a strike and force the sides to settle a monthslong fight over school district finances. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

Rather than remove the flooring, the previous owner simply added new carpet layers on top. —David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

Local media said the single-level club where the fire occurred had been operating for several years after being converted from a carpet warehouse. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French carpite, from Old Italian carpita, from carpire to pluck, modification of Latin carpere to pluck — more at harvest

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing carpet

• Brussels carpet
• call (someone) on the carpet
• carpet beetle
• carpet bomb
• carpet slipper
• carpet sweeper
• magic carpet
• red carpet
• roll out the red carpet
• sweep (something) under the carpet
• tapestry carpet

Kids Definition

carpet

noun

car·​pet ˈkär-pət 

1

: a heavy fabric used especially as a floor covering

2

: a covering like a carpet

carpet verb