A covering is a layer of material that goes over something else to protect it, hide it, or make it look better. A blanket is a covering for your bed. Snow is a covering for the ground in winter. Paint is a covering for a wall.

The word emphasizes the idea of something being placed on top of or wrapped around something else. A book covering protects the pages inside. A floor covering, like a rug or carpet, goes over the hard floor beneath. When you cover your mouth when you cough, you're using your hand as a temporary covering.

In math, a covering can mean a collection of things that completely includes everything in a set.

The word can also describe the act of doing someone else's work or duties for a time.

You might also hear someone talk about covering their bases, which means making sure they've taken care of everything they need to.