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

Walz recommends protecting bigleaf types by building a cage with stakes, wrapping it with burlap, and then filling it with leaves for insulation. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

Protect less cold-hardy evergreen magnolias as well as young trees with burlap. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026

Police investigators were staking out the historic, 200-acre Mount Moriah Cemetery in southwest Philadelphia on Tuesday evening when their suspect finally emerged carrying a crow bar and a burlap bag. —Gaya Gupta, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2026

Only use breathable materials like burlap, and avoid heat-trapping materials like plastic. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026

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