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

Moses Sumney Moses Sumney brought theatrics to the arrival carpet. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025

Parts of the carpet have been ripped out, revealing asbestos tiles. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The Bentley Flying Spur PHEV IS the ultimate flying carpet. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Use it on hardwood floors, carpet, and tile and the HydroJet Roller Mop system will pick up the stickiest messes (the mop is made to mimic hand scrubbing). —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 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