"the dropping of a large number of bombs on an entire area to inflict intense damage," 1945, from carpet (v.) + bomb (v.). Related: Carpet-bomb; carpet-bombed.
Entries linking to carpet-bombing
carpet v.
1620s, "cover with or as with a carpet," from carpet (n.). The meaning "call to reprimand, make a subject of investigation" is from 1823. Related: Carpeted; carpeting.
bomb v.
1680s, "fire bombs at, attack with bombs" (marked archaic in Century Dictionary, 1889, but quite revived in 20c.), from bomb (n.). The slang meaning "fail" is attested from 1963; that of "move or travel quickly" is from 1966. Related: Bombed; bombing. Slang bombed "drunk" is attested by 1956.