red carpet

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈred ˈcar•pet, n. [countable* usually singular]

1. a strip of red carpet for important officials to walk on when entering or leaving a building, vehicle, or the like.
2. a display of courtesy or respect, as for persons of high rank:
   The city rolled out the red carpet for the president when he visited.

adj. [before a noun] red--car•pet 

3. of or relating to such display:
   the red-carpet treatment.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

red′ car′pet, 

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. a display of courtesy or deference, as that shown to persons of high station:
   The visiting princess was treated to the red carpet in Rome.
• 1930–35
red′-car′pet, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

red carpet noun

1. a strip of red carpeting laid for important dignitaries to walk on when arriving or departing
2. deferential treatment accorded to a person of importance
3. (as modifier): the returning hero had a red-carpet reception