A large sheet of strong, flexible, water-resistant or waterproof material, often cloth such as canvas or polyester coated with polyurethane, or made of plastics such as polyethylene.

The campers used a tarpaulin to cover their tent during the rainstorm.

A protective covering of canvas or other material waterproofed with tar, paint, or wax.

The construction workers placed a tarpaulin over their equipment to shield it from the elements.

A sailor, especially an ordinary seaman; a tar.

An old tarpaulin told us tales of storms and distant ports.

tarpaulinadjective

Made of, or relating to, tarpaulin; waterproof.

She slipped on a tarpaulin coat before stepping into the downpour.