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

But since the name was removed, no onlookers have been able to see the proof for themselves as the center erected a large tarp that obscures nearly the entire sign. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

This solution is a clunky eyesore; resembling a cushion, gym mat and tarp meshed into one. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Scaffolding and a tarp were erected the following day as work to remove the name continued, meaning that the removal has not been visible to the public. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

The center has filed a court declaration that the president’s name has been removed, although that part of the facade is still covered with a tarp. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 June 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