welcome mat

English

Noun

A welcome mat in Taiwan

welcome mat (plural welcome mats)

1. A doormat with a welcoming message on it.
2. (figurative, by extension) Any sign or indication of welcome.

Usage notes

• The figurative sense is often used in an extended metaphor, with reference to a real mat: thus, to "put out or roll out or throw out the welcome mat" is to offer a welcome.