covers; covered; covering
1
: to put something over, on top of, or in front of (something else) especially in order to protect, hide, or close it
The gardener covered the soil with mulch.
The furniture had been covered in a protective cloth.
Be sure to cover the pot. [=put a cover on the pot]
He covered his face with his hands. [=he put his hands over his face; he hid his face behind his hands]
We covered the stains on the wall with a fresh coat of paint.
You should cover your mouth when you cough.
She covered her head with a scarf.
tables covered with white linen
He wears a hair piece to cover [=hide, conceal] his bald spot.
—used in recipes and instructionsThe recipe said: "Reduce heat. Cover [=put a cover/lid on the pot/pan] and continue cooking for another 10 minutes."
Place the seed in the hole and cover with soil.
2
a
: to be spread over or on top of (something)
Water covered the floor.
Snow covered the hills.
b
: to be over much or all of the surface of (something)
Lakes cover much of the state.
—usually used as (be) coveredMuch of the state is covered with lakes.
The wall is completely covered with graffiti.
His legs were covered in mosquito bites.
3
: to pass over or through (an area, distance, etc.)
The hikers covered long distances every day.
The bird may cover thousands of miles during its migration.
4
a
: to have (something) as a subject : to relate to or provide information about (a particular subject)
The course will cover the country's early history.
an exam covering a semester's worth of material
This material was covered in the book's first chapter.
We'd better get started because we have a lot (of information) to cover in one hour.
b
: to relate to or have an effect on (something)
The patent covers [=applies to] both kinds of devices/systems.
The term "house" covers a wide array of buildings. [=many different kinds of buildings can be called houses]
5
: to report news about (something)
He is an experienced journalist who has covered several presidential campaigns.
She covers political news for the network.
6
of insurance
a
: to protect (someone) by promising to pay for loss, damage, etc. : to provide financial protection to (someone)
The policy covers the traveler in any accident.
b
: to provide protection by promising to pay for (a problem, accident, etc.) : to provide financial protection against (something)
The policy covers water damage.
a policy covering loss by fire
c
: to provide payment for (something)
My health insurance doesn't cover this treatment/drug.
7
a
: to have enough money for (something)
Your checking account balance will not cover the check. [=there is not enough money in your checking account to pay for the amount of the check]
b
: to pay for (something)
He has enough money to cover tuition, but he can't afford to buy the textbooks he needs.
This money should cover the cost of repairing the wall.
8
a
: to guard or protect (something or someone) by being ready to shoot a gun or fire a weapon
The ships were covering approaches to the harbor.
Officer Blake's partner yelled "Cover me!" and ran for the door.
b
: to protect (yourself or someone else) from possible trouble or danger
He was trying to cover himself by lying about his involvement in the scandal.
(US, informal + impolite) He was trying to cover his ass/butt by lying.
9
a
sports
: to guard (an opponent) as part of your team's effort to prevent the other team from scoring
He was assigned to cover the tight end.
b
baseball
: to be in a position to receive a throw to (a base)
The shortstop was covering second base.
10
a
: to help you by doing your job when you are away or not able to do it
—+ for
A coworker covered for me during my vacation.
She'll be out for a week, so the rest of us will have to cover for her.
b
: to hide the truth or lie for someone
—+ for
He covered for his friend, insisting that he hadn't seen him all day.
11
a
: to be responsible for selling or providing something to all the people in (an area) for a company, organization, etc.
One salesperson covers the whole state.
b
: to provide something to (a group of people)
There should be enough of the vaccine to cover everyone.
12
: to record or perform (a song that was previously recorded by someone else)
The band has covered many hits from the 1980s.
plural covers
1
: something that is put around or on top of another thing especially to protect, hide, or close it
She placed a cover over the pan so that the oil wouldn't spatter.
I put a cover on the sofa to protect it.
a mattress cover
I lifted the cover of the box and peeked inside.
He unscrewed the cover [=top, lid] of the jar.
2
: a blanket or sheet on a bed
—usually plural
She was in bed lying under the covers.
He threw off the covers and rose to begin the day.
3
a
: the outer part of a book or magazine
There's a picture of the author on the book's back/front cover.
The model appeared on the (front) covers of many weeklies.
She read the book from cover to cover. [=she read all of the book]
b
: the part of the case of a record album, CD, DVD, etc., that is seen from the outside
The singer is posing in jeans and cowboy boots on the album cover.
4
: something that covers the ground or the sky
The ground was hidden under a cover of snow.
The moon was hidden behind a thick cloud cover. [=behind thick clouds]
areas of light plant cover [=areas in which there are few plants]
5
: a place or situation in which you are protected
The roof provided cover from the rain.
The soldiers sought cover behind the wall.
The officer ordered the soldiers to take cover as the enemy began shooting.
The hikers took cover under a tree and waited for the storm to pass.
The hikers ran/dashed/headed for cover as the storm approached.
Note: If you break cover, you come out from a place where you have been safe or hidden.
6
: something that prevents actions, information, etc., from being seen or known
The crime was committed under (the) cover of darkness/night. [=when it was dark; at night]
an official speaking to a reporter under cover of anonymity [=with the understanding that the reporter would not reveal the official's name]
7
: something that is not what it seems to be but is actually used to hide something else
—usually singular
The business was a cover for a criminal gang.
Her job as a consultant was just a cover for her true identity as a secret agent.
He acts tough, but that's just a cover. He's a real softy underneath.
Note: A person who is under cover has his or her true identity hidden. The phrase usually describes a person (such as a police officer) who pretends to be someone else in order to get information.
Note: To blow someone's cover is to reveal someone's true identity.
8
: a recording or performance of a song that was previously recorded by someone else
a cover (version) of a popular song
a cover band [=a band that plays songs previously recorded by other performers]
9
informal
: cover charge
The nightclub has a $5 cover.
10
British
: insurance coverage
a policy that provides cover [=(US) coverage] for loss by fire
11
: protection from danger, an attack, etc.
They had to land in enemy territory without any air cover. [=protection by military airplanes]
traveling with the benefit of diplomatic cover [=the special protection that is given to a diplomat]
12
British
: work done by someone other than the person who usually does it
A small crew will provide emergency cover during the strike.
Cite this Entry
“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cover. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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