A tarpaulin (often shortened to tarp) is a large, strong sheet of waterproof material used to protect things from rain, sun, wind, or dirt. Tarps are made from heavy fabric coated with plastic, rubber, or wax to make them water-resistant and durable.

You'll see tarps covering boats in winter, protecting woodpiles from getting soaked, or spread over baseball fields during rainstorms. Construction workers use them to shield building materials, and campers might string one up between trees as emergency shelter. During moves, people tie tarps over furniture in truck beds to keep everything dry.

The word comes from tar and pall (an old word for cloth), because sailors once waterproofed canvas sails and covers by treating them with tar. Those tarred covers protected cargo on ships for centuries.

Tarps come in different weights and sizes. A lightweight tarp might cover a motorcycle, while heavy-duty tarps can protect entire roofs after storm damage. Most have metal-ringed holes called grommets along the edges so you can tie them down with rope. The beauty of a tarpaulin is its versatility: it's basically waterproof protection you can fold up and carry almost anywhere.