1. A heavy, waterproof canvas cloth impregnated or coated with oil, wax or paint, used for outdoor coverings.
2. In traditional upholstery terms, the tarpaulin is the covering cloth made of calico, light canvas or hessian that is laid over the horsehair stuffing to hold it in place and beneath the cotton wadding to hold the work together and to dissuade the coarse hairs from penetrating the top covers. It may also be stretched over the frame above the webbing to provide a firm base for a soft seat.