tarping

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   Present participle of tarp: covering something with a waterproof sheet to protect it from rain or dirt.

   Grammar: Takes an object: they are tarping the roof; also used as a noun-like gerund: tarping takes time.

   Patterns

   • tarp something
   • tarp something over

   We spent the afternoon tarping the woodpile before the storm.

   They are tarping the damaged roof until repairs can start.

   Tarping the boat each winter keeps the paint in good shape.

2. 2noununcountable

   The act or practice of covering something with a tarp, such as a load, field or roof.

   Grammar: Uncountable: tarping is required for open trucks.

   Patterns

   • the tarping of something

   The law requires tarping of loads on open trucks.

   Tarping a large field is hard work.

   Volunteers helped with the emergency tarping after the hurricane.

Common combinations

roof tarping

Roof tarping was the first step after the hail.

tarping a load

Tarping a load stops debris flying off the truck.

emergency tarping

Crews provided emergency tarping for homes without roofs.

tarping the roof

He risked his safety tarping the roof in the wind.

Synonyms and how they differ

covering

Covering is general and applies to any material, while tarping specifically means using a waterproof sheet.

sheeting

Sheeting names the plastic material or the act of laying it, whereas tarping implies a heavy, reusable cover.

waterproofing

Waterproofing makes something resistant to water by treatment or coating, not just by placing a cover over it.

Opposites

Word family

tarp noun

a heavy waterproof sheet

tarp verb

to cover with a tarp

tarpaulin noun

the full, more formal word for tarp

Commonly confused: tarping or tarring?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tarping”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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