red carpet

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

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

Other Words From

• red-carpet adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of red carpet¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

That Kim Jong-un is behind it all—the hack, the theft, the sad red carpet.

From The Daily Beast

Glee actress Lea Michele was seemingly dissed by Jessica Lange on the red carpet.

From The Daily Beast

The full footage of her on the red carpet yes, shows her posing, but posing to order.

From The Daily Beast

Tatiana says there was one agent behind the sudden popularity of couture—the red carpet.

From The Daily Beast

You got a lot of publicity for having your butt grabbed on the red carpet at the Met Gala.

From The Daily Beast

Jack Bowden rose, spit carefully into the shiny brass cuspidor, placed there to preserve the long-haired red carpet, and began.

From Project Gutenberg

A red carpet was rolled out to the carriage and I had to go ahead and act as a sort of grand master of ceremonies.

From Project Gutenberg

An imaginary red carpet, so to speak, was to be laid down before she approached Mr. Miller with a suggestion.

From Project Gutenberg

Red carpet had been put down to save costumes from dewy grass or gravel.

From Project Gutenberg

Once she faltered for a minute and stood still where a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• welcome mat