wilton
n. C / Un. a high-quality carpet made with a specific weaving method that uses loops of wool. It is known for being very strong and having a thick, soft surface.
n. a type of high-quality, heavy-duty carpet woven on a loom with a velvet or loop pile. Named after the town in England where the manufacturing process originated.
The hotel lobby is covered in a luxurious red wilton.
Because of its durability and classic appearance, a wilton is often chosen for high-traffic areas in traditional homes.
The interior designer specified a bespoke wilton for the drawing room, noting that the traditional weaving technique would ensure the intricate floral pattern remained sharp for decades.
From either Old English welig (“willow”) or wella (“spring, stream”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used as a modifier before 'carpet' or 'weave'; when used as a countable noun, it refers to a specific piece or variety of the carpet.
Last updated May 11, 2026