tarpaulin

noun

tar·​pau·​lin tär-ˈpȯ-lən  ˈtär-pə-lən 

 nonstandard  tär-ˈpōl-yən

plural tarpaulins

1

: a piece of material used especially for protecting exposed objects or areas : tarp

The hatchways of some armed vessels are but poorly secured in bad weather. … They were merely spread over with an old tarpaulin, cracked and rent in every direction.

—Herman Melville

2

dated : sailor

"What does this here blessed tarpaulin go and do," said Mr. Peggotty, with his face one high noon of enjoyment, "but he loses that there art of his to our little Em'ly."

—Charles Dickens

The Englishman replied, like a rough tarpaulin, "They might starve; they should not plant nor build in that place."

—Daniel Defoe

Examples of tarpaulin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Work begins in early April when the mother plants arrive from California and continues over the half-year with soil mixing, rooting of plant cuttings and manipulations of day length through shrouding the greenhouses with black tarpaulins in order to control when the poinsettias flower. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 20 Nov. 2024

The main gallery space features sculptural installations created out of tarpaulin, a material used to cover goods transported by vehicles on long distance travels. —Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024

The snow roller bags feature all-terrain wheels, come in three sizes to fit equipment of varying dimensions and include a water-resistant tarpaulin linen to lock out moisture. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

Ironically, tarpaulins cross borders with little difficulty. —Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from tar entry 1 + -palling, -pauling (from pall)

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tarpaulin

noun

tar·​pau·​lin tär-ˈpȯ-lən  ˈtär-pə- 

: a piece of material (as waterproof canvas) used for protecting exposed objects