burlap

noun

bur·​lap ˈbər-ˌlap 

1

: a coarse heavy plain-woven fabric usually of jute or hemp used for bagging and wrapping and in furniture and linoleum manufacture

2

: a lightweight material resembling burlap used in interior decoration or for clothing

Examples of burlap in a Sentence

The bag is made of burlap.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ball and burlap trees require twice weekly watering during the first summer and fall, and weekly watering for the next two summers. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025

The day starts with a Native Hawaiian protocol, educational briefing, fishpond cleanup and restoration like pruning vegetation, creating burlap buffer and stone cleaning. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 July 2025

Paint pots white, drape them in shade cloth in burlap to reduce heat buildup. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

Then cut and remove the burlap and any cage from the upper half of the ball before backfilling the rest of the way. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for burlap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap
• mayhap

Kids Definition

burlap

noun

bur·​lap ˈbər-ˌlap 

: a rough fabric made usually from jute or hemp and used mostly for bags and wrappings