Tarpaulin is a fabric made of canvas or similar material coated with tar, wax, paint, or some other waterproof substance. a piece of tarpaulin. tarpaulin covers
A tarpaulin is a sheet of heavy waterproof material that is used as a protective cover. a large heavy cloth or piece of thick plastic that water will not pass through, used to keep rain off things (tarpaulin (17-21 centuries), probably from tar + PALL + -ing)