tapestry

noun

tap·​es·​try ˈta-pə-strē 

plural tapestries

1

a

: a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery and characterized by complicated pictorial designs

b

: a nonreversible imitation of tapestry used chiefly for upholstery

c

: embroidery on canvas resembling woven tapestry

needlepoint tapestry

2

: something resembling tapestry (as in complexity or richness of design)

nature's rich tapestry

Examples of tapestry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The moving segment honored the late actors by taking clips from each of their respective careers and combining them to create a rich tapestry of performances. —EW.com, 24 Feb. 2025

These subtle human elements can interact with organizational or societal pressures, revealing a tapestry of influences that shape your behavior. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Matthews suggests adorning living spaces or stairwell areas with tapestry to get a full view. —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025

These interrelated tensions of class, caste and gender form a background tapestry, but its real politics are unveiled by Hegde’s visual and modal approach. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, modification of Anglo-French tapicerie, from tapit, tapis carpet, hanging, from Greek tapētion, diminutive of tapēt-, tapēs carpet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tapestry

• tapestry carpet

Kids Definition

tapestry

noun

tap·​es·​try ˈtap-ə-strē 

plural tapestries

: a heavy cloth that has designs or pictures woven into it and is used especially as a wall hanging

tapestried

-strēd

adjective