tarp

noun

ˈtärp 

plural tarps

: a piece of material (such as durable plastic or waterproofed canvas) used especially for protecting exposed objects or areas : tarpaulin

The crewmen competed for a place to stand beneath the small tarp that covered part of the narrow deck.

—Matt Potts

This house, half of it's all burned up. They live there, the burned part's covered with a tarp, with their dogs, and they must have at least ten.

—Katya Reno

Examples of tarp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cooper has asked the Kennedy Center for updates on how long the tarp is expected to stay in place. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Israeli soldiers then arrived in two vehicles and tore it down, but left the blue tarp canopy neatly folded on the ground rather than confiscating it. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

In the meantime, Cooper has ordered a status update on the center’s plans for construction and future operations by next week, as well as on the purpose for the tarp at the front of the complex. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

Two months later, the scaffolding and tarp that were placed in front of the building to remove the lettering are still up. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tarp

• carp
• harp
• scarp
• endocarp
• pericarp

Kids Definition

tarp

noun

ˈtärp 

: tarpaulin