tapestry
noun
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Several languages weave through the history of tapestry, which comes from a Greek word meaning “carpet” and traveled through Anglo-French and Middle English before arriving in modern English in the 15th century. Tapestry originally referred to a heavy handwoven reversible textile used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery, and characterized by complicated pictorial designs. It still does today, but the word has fittingly developed a “tapestry” of additional senses. It may describe a nonreversible imitation of tapestry used chiefly for upholstery, or embroidery on canvas resembling woven tapestry. It can also refer figuratively to anything made up of different parts, as in “nature’s rich tapestry.” Tapestry isn’t the only art word that’s developed a figurative “medley” sense; collage (“a work of art made by adhering pieces of different materials (such as paper, cloth, or wood) to a flat surface”) and mosaic (“a decoration made by inlaying small pieces of variously colored material (such as glass or ceramic) to form pictures or patterns”) are both used figuratively to mean “a collection of different things.”
Examples of tapestry in a Sentence
Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
And perhaps no decor piece emphasizes this juxtaposition more than the custom tapestry that hangs on the wall behind the stairs.
—Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026
Ground-hugging varieties like ‘Angelina’ or ‘Firecracker’ braid a tapestry of starry flowers in the toughest parking strip or rock garden.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Midwest Living, 11 May 2026
Others, such as classical composer Florence Price and folk singer Granny Almeda Riddle, might not be as well known, but their talents and vision are nevertheless part of the musical tapestry that extends beyond the Natural State.
—Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tapestry
Cite this Entry
“Tapestry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapestry. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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tapestry
noun
