Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » cover

cover

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Cover means to conceal or place something over. (verb)

An example of cover is for a person to pull blankets over himself at night.

A cover is something that goes over, rests on the surface or provides a place to hide. (noun)

An example of cover is the lid of a Tupperware container.
An example of cover is a quilt.
An example of cover is dense bushes in which a robber can hide from the police.

See cover in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to place something on, over, or in front of, so as to conceal, protect, or close
to extend over; overlay; blanket: snow covered the highway
to copulate with (the female): said chiefly of a stallion
to clothe
to coat, sprinkle, etc. thickly: covered with mud
to sit on (eggs); brood; incubate
to conceal by hiding or screening
to keep from harm or injury by shielding; protect by screening
to include and provide for; take into account: the law covers such cases
1. to protect against financial loss or liability, as by insurance or reserve funds
2. to make up for (a loss, injury, etc.) by insurance, reserve funds, etc.
3. to be sufficient for payment of (expenses, a debt, etc.)
to accept (a bet); stake the equivalent of (an opponent's stake) in a wager
to travel over; go the length of: to cover a distance
to work in or be responsible for (a particular area or range of activity): to cover a territory as a salesman
to deal with; treat of: to cover a subject
to bring upon (oneself) by one's actions: to cover oneself with glory
to point a firearm or similar weapon at; put or keep within the range and in the aim of a gun or the like
☆ Slang to record or perform a cover () of
Card Games to put a higher card on (a previously played card)
☆ Finance to buy stock to replace (shares borrowed from a broker to effect a short sale)
☆ Journalism to have the assignment of gathering and reporting the details of (a news story)
Mil. to keep (a person or group) within sight or contact so as to protect from enemy action
Sports
1. to watch, guard, defend, or defend against
2. Baseball to be ready to receive a throw to (a particular base)
3. Football to attempt to prevent (a pass receiver) from catching the ball or prevent (a punted ball) from being returned

intransitive verb

to spread over a surface, as a liquid does
to put on a cap, hat, etc.
☆ to provide an alibi, excuse, or subterfuge (for another)

noun

anything that covers, as a bookbinding, the front binding of a magazine, a jar lid, a box top, etc.
a shelter for protection, as from gunfire
a hiding place for game, as a thicket, underbrush, etc.
a tablecloth and setting for a meal, esp. for one person
☆ cover charge
something used for hiding one's real actions, intentions, etc.
1. an envelope or wrapper for mail
2. an envelope or postal card with a stamp, postmark, and cachet of historical or philatelic significance
Slang a version of a song, esp. one that has become popular in a particular recording, as performed or recorded in imitation of the original or with a fresh interpretation

Related Forms:

coverer noun

See cover in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(kŭvˈər)

verb cov·ered, cov·er·ing, cov·ers

verb, transitive

To place something upon or over, so as to protect or conceal.
To overlay or spread with something: cover potatoes with gravy.
a. To put a cover or covering on.
b. To wrap up; clothe.
To invest (oneself) with a great deal of something: covered themselves with glory.
a. To spread over the surface of: Dust covered the table. Snow covered the ground.
b. To extend over: a farm covering more than 100 acres.
a. To copulate with (a female). Used especially of horses.
b. To sit on in order to hatch.
To hide or screen from view or knowledge; conceal: covered up his misdemeanors.
a. To protect or shield from harm, loss, or danger.
b. To protect by insurance: took out a new policy that will cover all our camera equipment.
c. To compensate or make up for.
To be sufficient to defray, meet, or offset the cost or charge of: had enough funds to cover her check.
To make provision for; take into account: The law does not cover all crimes.
To deal with; treat of: The book covers the feminist movement.
To travel or pass over; traverse: They covered 60 miles in two days.
a. To have as one's territory or sphere of work.
b. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
To hold within the range and aim of a weapon, such as a firearm.
To protect, as from enemy attack, by occupying a strategic position.
Sports
a. To guard (an opponent playing offense).
b. To defend (a position or area): cover third base; cover the backcourt.
To match (an opponent's stake) in a wager.
To purchase (stock that one has shorted).
Games To play a higher-ranking card than (the one previously played).
Music To record a cover version of (a song).
21. Obsolete To pardon or remit.

verb, intransitive

To spread over a surface to protect or conceal something: a paint that covers well.
To act as a substitute or replacement during someone's absence: Her assistant covered for her.
To hide something in order to save someone from censure or punishment: cover up for a colleague.
Games To play a higher card than the one previously played.

noun

Something that covers or is laid, placed, or spread over or upon something else, as:
a. A lid or top.
b. A binding or enclosure for a book or magazine.
c. A bedcover.
d. A protective overlay, as for a mattress or furniture.
a. Something that provides shelter.
b. Strategic protection given by armed units during hostile action: The battleship approached the combat zone under a cover of fighter planes.
a. Something, such as vegetation, covering the surface of the ground.
b. Vegetation, such as underbrush, serving as protective concealment for wild animals.
A layer of clouds obscuring the sky or ground.
a. Something, such as darkness, that screens, conceals, or disguises. See Synonyms at shelter.
b. A false background and identity, especially for a spy.
A table setting for one person: Covers were laid for ten.
A cover charge.
An envelope or wrapper for mail.
Funds sufficient to meet an obligation or secure against loss.
One who substitutes for another.
Music A cover version.