Definition of "tarpaulin" in English

noun

1. (countable) A tarp, a heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth, used as a cover or blanket.

   • Throw a tarpaulin over that woodpile before it gets wet.

2. (countable, slang, archaic) A sailor.

3. (uncountable, obsolete) Any heavy, waterproof material used as a cover.

4. (uncountable, nautical, obsolete) Canvas waterproofed with tar, used as a cover.

5. A hat made of, or covered with, painted or tarred cloth, worn by sailors and others.

verb

1. To cover with a tarpaulin.