tarpaulin
noun
tar·pau·lin
tär-ˈpȯ-lən 
ˈtär-pə-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
Herman Melville2
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
Charles DickensThe Englishman replied, like a rough tarpaulin, "They might starve; they should not plant nor build in that place."—Daniel Defoe
Daniel DefoeExamples of tarpaulin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Across the lawns, over the carcass of the old parliament, there is a gathering of tents and tarpaulins that have been there almost as long.
—Maggie Knight-Williams, refinery29.com, 22 Jan. 2024
Many Rohingya refugees live in bamboo and tarpaulin shelters perched on hilly slopes that are vulnerable to strong winds, rain, and landslides.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for tarpaulin 
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Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024
Ironically, tarpaulins cross borders with little difficulty.
—Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024
Across the lawns, over the carcass of the old parliament, there is a gathering of tents and tarpaulins that have been there almost as long.
—Maggie Knight-Williams, refinery29.com, 22 Jan. 2024
Many Rohingya refugees live in bamboo and tarpaulin shelters perched on hilly slopes that are vulnerable to strong winds, rain, and landslides.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for tarpaulin
Dictionary Entries Near tarpaulin
Cite this Entry
“Tarpaulin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarpaulin. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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tarpaulin
noun
tar·pau·lin
tär-ˈpȯ-lən
ˈtär-pə-
ˈtär-pə-
: a piece of material (as waterproof canvas) used for protecting exposed objects
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