tarpaulin

[ tahr-paw-lin, tahr-puh-lin ]

noun

1. a protective covering of canvas or other material waterproofed with tar, paint, or wax.
2. a hat, especially a sailor's, made of or covered with such material.
3. Rare. a sailor.

tarpaulin

/ tɑːˈpɔːlɪn /

noun

1. a heavy hard-wearing waterproof fabric made of canvas or similar material coated with tar, wax, or paint, for outdoor use as a protective covering against moisture
2. a sheet of this fabric
3. a hat of or covered with this fabric, esp a sailor's hat
4. a rare word for seaman

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarpaulin¹

1595–1605; earlier tarpauling. See tar ¹, pall ¹, -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarpaulin¹

C17: probably from tar ¹+ pall ¹+ -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"I struggled to reach the next floor amidst the chaos. Our home and all our livestock were swept away," says Zuhra Bibi, who is now sleeping in a tarpaulin tent.

From BBC

Rasseem’s birds wobbled in their cages under their tarpaulin, unable to muster a sound.

From Literature

“Those are nice,” said Mara as she pulled a tarpaulin over the baggage and tied it down.

From Literature

The structure has since been secured against the façade of the cabaret and covered up by green tarpaulin for safety.

From BBC

The response is still agonisingly slow for people like Sarah Molin, stuck living under a tarpaulin in the capital.

From BBC