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tarpaulin

tarpaulin

4 5.4
A strong waterproof sheet made of canvas or plastic that covers things outside
  • noun
  • /tɑrˈpɔlɪn/
translation icon : loneta
  • Behind them was an ancient utility truck piled high with sheets of corrugated iron, hardboard, and tarpaulins.
  • plastic tarpaulin
  • blue tarpaulin
  • canvas tarpaulin

Lay down some ground rules and a tarpaulin because that shit gets messy.

Examples

  • In this case, they had blue plastic and canvas tarpaulin.

  • In the storeroom was a tarpaulin that would protect the transceiver until morning.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I could never tell what it was he was working on because it was covered with a tarpaulin.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • There was something wrapped up in the tarpaulin, and Banish was trying to get at it.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Next to the back wall of the cottage was a tarpaulin-covered pile that must be fireplace wood.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The screen showed an excavation site in the late afternoon, mostly covered in tarpaulins as protection against the elements.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Spattered tarpaulins and paint cans were stacked in a corner.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The hanger door is open; a breeze blows back a black silk tarpaulin, revealing the X-71's nose.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Looking out the window, Perrin saw a rumpled heap: the tarpaulin, the lashings.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The contractor used a durable tarpaulin to protect the construction site from rain.

Synonyms

tarp
vstarpaulin
  • US
80 3.2

A large waterproof sheet that covers things from rain

is a heavier duty waterproof cloth mainly for strong protection against moisture or weather
ground cloth
vstarpaulin
  • US
1 4.5

A cloth you put under a tent to stop wetness from the ground

is used more widely to protect various things from rain or moisture

How Protective

tarpaulin
4 5.4
tarp
  • US
80 3.2

Surface Forms

tarpaulin singular
tarpaulins plural

Etymology

Tarpaulin comes from tar, the sticky black material, and pall, which means 'cover', because sailors used to put tar on cloth to make a waterproof covering. That's why a tarpaulin is a heavy, waterproof sheet, often called a tarp for short.