Meaning

(countable) A heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth or plastic sheet, used as a cover or blanket (often as weatherproofing, or to keep loose cargo from blowing off a lorry)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable) A heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth or plastic sheet, used as a cover or blanket (often as weatherproofing, or to keep loose cargo from blowing off a lorry).
2. (uncountable, nautical, archaic) Canvas waterproofed with tar, used as a cover.
3. (archaic) A hat made of, or covered with, painted or tarred cloth, worn by sailors and others.
4. (countable, slang, archaic) A sailor.
5. To cover with a tarpaulin.

Example Sentences

Throw a tarpaulin over that woodpile before it gets wet.

There were sailors asleep in the fantastic fashion of the British tarpaulin — snoring heavily as they lay on the bare deck, despite the din about them.

Near-synonym: rain hat

"Cover it up! Don't touch it!" said the Professor. So we tarpaulined it according to his instructions, and there it lies.

Word Forms

• tarpaulins
• tarpaulining
• tarpaulined

Synonyms for tarpaulin

Related Words

When Should You Use Tarpaulin?

Use tarpaulin when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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