Definitions for cover
ˈkʌv ərcov·er

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. screen, cover, covert, concealmentnoun

   a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

   "a screen of trees afforded privacy"; "under cover of darkness"; "the brush provided a covert for game"; "the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background"

2. blanket, covernoun

   bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

   "he pulled the covers over his head and went to sleep"

3. cover, covering, screening, maskingnoun

   the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it

   "the cover concealed their guns from enemy aircraft"

4. binding, book binding, cover, backnoun

   the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

   "the book had a leather binding"

5. covering, natural covering, covernoun

   a natural object that covers or envelops

   "under a covering of dust"; "the fox was flushed from its cover"

6. top, covernoun

   covering for a hole (especially a hole in the top of a container)

   "he removed the top of the carton"; "he couldn't get the top off of the bottle"; "put the cover back on the kettle"

7. cover, covering firenoun

   fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations

   "artillery provided covering fire for the withdrawal"

8. cover charge, covernoun

   a fixed charge by a restaurant or nightclub over and above the charge for food and drink

9. cover, cover version, cover songnoun

   a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

   "they made a cover of a Beatles' song"

10. coververb

    a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)

    "her new name and passport are cover for her next assignment"

11. coververb

    provide with a covering or cause to be covered

    "cover her face with a handkerchief"; "cover the child with a blanket"; "cover the grave with flowers"

12. cover, spread oververb

    form a cover over

    "The grass covered the grave"

13. cover, continue, extendverb

    span an interval of distance, space or time

    "The war extended over five years"; "The period covered the turn of the century"; "My land extends over the hills on the horizon"; "This farm covers some 200 acres"; "The Archipelago continues for another 500 miles"

14. coververb

    provide for

    "The grant doesn't cover my salary"

15. cover, treat, handle, plow, deal, addressverb

    act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

    "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China"

16. embrace, encompass, comprehend, coververb

    include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

    "This group encompasses a wide range of people from different backgrounds"; "this should cover everyone in the group"

17. traverse, track, cover, cross, pass over, get over, get across, cut through, cut acrossverb

    travel across or pass over

    "The caravan covered almost 100 miles each day"

18. report, coververb

    be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism

    "Snow reported on China in the 1950's"; "The cub reporter covered New York City"

19. coververb

    hold within range of an aimed firearm

20. coververb

    to take an action to protect against future problems

    "Count the cash in the drawer twice just to cover yourself"

21. cover, cover upverb

    hide from view or knowledge

    "The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House"

22. coververb

    protect or defend (a position in a game)

    "he covered left field"

23. coververb

    maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

    "The second officer covered the top floor"

24. cover, insure, underwriteverb

    protect by insurance

    "The insurance won't cover this"

25. cover, compensate, overcompensateverb

    make up for shortcomings or a feeling of inferiority by exaggerating good qualities

    "he is compensating for being a bad father"

26. coververb

    invest with a large or excessive amount of something

    "She covered herself with glory"

27. coververb

    help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities

    "She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week"

28. coververb

    be sufficient to meet, defray, or offset the charge or cost of

    "Is this enough to cover the check?"

29. coververb

    spread over a surface to conceal or protect

    "This paint covers well"

30. shroud, enshroud, hide, coververb

    cover as if with a shroud

    "The origins of this civilization are shrouded in mystery"

31. breed, coververb

    copulate with a female, used especially of horses

    "The horse covers the mare"

32. overlay, coververb

    put something on top of something else

    "cover the meat with a lot of gravy"

33. coververb

    play a higher card than the one previously played

    "Smith covered again"

34. coververb

    be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game

35. brood, hatch, cover, incubateverb

    sit on (eggs)

    "Birds brood"; "The female covers the eggs"

36. cover, wrap upverb

    clothe, as if for protection from the elements

    "cover your head!"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. covernoun

   A lid.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

2. covernoun

   A hiding from view.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

3. covernoun

   A front and back of a book or magazine.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

4. covernoun

   A top sheet of a bed.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

5. covernoun

   A setting at a restaurant table.

   We need to set another cover for the Smith party.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

6. covernoun

   A rerecording of a previously recorded song; a cover version; a cover song.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

7. covernoun

   A fielding position on the off side, between point and mid off, about 30° forward of square; a fielder in this position.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

8. covernoun

   A set (more often known as a family) of sets, whose union contains the given set.

   The open intervals are a cover for the real numbers.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

9. coververb

   To place something over or upon, as to conceal or protect.

   Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

10. coververb

    To be over or upon, as to conceal or protect.

    The blanket covered the baby.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

11. coververb

    To be upon all of, so as to completely conceal.

    Regular hexagons can cover the plane.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

12. coververb

    To set upon all of, so as to completely conceal.

    You can cover the plane with regular hexagons.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

13. coververb

    To discuss thoroughly, to provide good coverage of.

    The magazine covers such diverse topics as politics, news from the world of science, and the economy.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

14. coververb

    To deal with

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

15. coververb

    To be enough money for.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

16. coververb

    To act as a replacement.

    I need to take off Tuesday. Can you cover for me?

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

17. coververb

    To have as an assignment or responsibility.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

18. covernoun

    An envelope complete with stamps and postmarks etc.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

19. covernoun

    A solid object, including terrain, that provides protection from enemy fire.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

20. covernoun

    In commercial law, a buyer's purchase on the open market of goods similar or identical to the goods contracted for after a seller has breached a contract of sale by failure to deliver the goods contracted for.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

21. covernoun

    An insurance contract; coverage by an insurance contract.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

22. covernoun

    A persona maintained by a spy or undercover operative, cover story

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

23. coververb

    To make a cover version of (a song that was originally recorded by another artist).

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

24. coververb

    To protect using an aimed firearm and the threat of firing; or to protect using continuous, heaving fire at or in the direction of the enemy so as to force the enemy to remain in cover; or to threaten using an aimed firearm.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

25. coververb

    To provide insurance coverage for.

    Does my policy cover accidental loss?

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

26. coververb

    To copulate with (said of certain male animals such as dogs and horses).

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

27. coveradjective

    Of or pertaining to the front cover of a book or magazine.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

28. coveradjective

    Of, pertaining to, or consisting of cover versions.

    Etymology: coveren, from covrir (Modern couvrir) from coperire from cooperire, from co-, intensive prefix, + operire "to close, cover". Displaced native thecchen and bithecchen (from þeccan, beþeccan), helen (from helan), wreon (from wreon), hodren (from hudren "to cover up").

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Coververb

   to overspread the surface of (one thing) with another; as, to cover wood with paint or lacquer; to cover a table with a cloth

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

2. Coververb

   to envelop; to clothe, as with a mantle or cloak

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

3. Coververb

   to invest (one's self with something); to bring upon (one's self); as, he covered himself with glory

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

4. Coververb

   to hide sight; to conceal; to cloak; as, the enemy were covered from our sight by the woods

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

5. Coververb

   to brood or sit on; to incubate

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

6. Coververb

   to shelter, as from evil or danger; to protect; to defend; as, the cavalry covered the retreat

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

7. Coververb

   to remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

8. Coververb

   to extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to account for or solve; to counterbalance; as, a mortgage which fully covers a sum loaned on it; a law which covers all possible cases of a crime; receipts than do not cover expenses

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

9. Coververb

   to put the usual covering or headdress on

   Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

10. Coververb

    to copulate with (a female); to serve; as, a horse covers a mare; -- said of the male

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

11. Covernoun

    anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

12. Covernoun

    anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

13. Covernoun

    shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

14. Covernoun

    the woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

15. Covernoun

    the lap of a slide valve

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

16. Covernoun

    a tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

17. Coververb

    to spread a table for a meal; to prepare a banquet

    Etymology: [Cf. F. couvert.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Cover

   In philately, the term cover pertains to the outside of an envelope or package with an address, typically with postage stamps that have been cancelled and is a term generally used among stamp and postal history collectors. The term does not include the contents of the letter or package, although they may add interest to the item if still present. Cover collecting plays an important role in postal history as many covers bear stamps, postmarks and other markings along with names and addresses all of which help to place a cover at a given time and place in history.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Cover

   kuv′ėr, v.t. to hide: to clothe: to extend over: to brood or sit on: to be sufficient for: to protect: to table a coin of equal value in wagering: to copulate with—esp. of a stallion: to screen: to aim directly at.—v.i. to spread over so as to conceal something: to lay a table for a meal: to put one's hat on.—n. that which protects: undergrowth, thicket, concealing game, &c.: the table requisites for one person—plate, knife, fork, napkin, &c.: deceitfulness: a swindler's confederate.—adj. Cov′ered, intended or used for shelter or concealment: roofed over: with the hat on.—ns. Cover′ed-way; Cov′ert-way (fort.), a path about thirty feet wide outside the ditch of a fort, and so far sunk below the crest of the glacis as to afford cover or shelter to the soldiers; Cover′ing, anything that covers.—adj. Cov′ert, covered: concealed: secret.—n. a place that covers or affords protection.—ns. Cov′ert-coat, a short light overcoat; Cov′ert-coat′ing, cloth for such.—adv. Cov′ertly, in a covered or concealed manner.—n. Cov′erture, covering, shelter: (law) the condition of a married woman as legally under the protection of her husband.—Cover into, to transfer into; Cover shorts, to buy in such stocks as have been sold short, in order to meet one's engagements, &c.; Cover the buckle, to execute a difficult step in dancing. [Fr. couvrir (It. coprire)—L. co-operīre—con, and operīre, to cover.]

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. cover

   1. The action by land, air, or sea forces to protect by offense, defense, or threat of either or both. 2. Those measures necessary to give protection to a person, plan, operation, formation, or installation from the enemy intelligence effort and leakage of information. 3. The act of maintaining a continuous receiver watch with transmitter calibrated and available, but not necessarily available for immediate use. 4. Shelter or protection, either natural or artificial. 5. (DOD only) Photographs or other recorded images which show a particular area of ground. 6. (DOD only) A code meaning,

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. cover

   Security from attack or interruption, as under cover of the ship's guns, under cover of the parapet. In the field exercise and drill of troops, one body is said to cover another exactly in rear of it. Covers for sails when furled (to protect them from the weather when loosing and airing them is precluded), are made of strong canvas painted.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. cover

   Natural or artificial protection from the fire of the enemy, the former being afforded by hills, woods, banks, walls, etc., the latter by fortifications constructed for the purpose. To cover is, in military language, to stand exactly behind another man.

Matched Categories

1. • Animal Husbandry
   • Be
   • Cards
   • Check
   • Compensate
   • Conceal
   • Concealment
   • Copulate
   • Endow
   • Envelop
   • Guarantee
   • Hide
   • Include
   • Inform
   • Natural Object
   • Pass
   • Play
   • Procreate
   • Protect
   • Recording
   • Satisfy
   • Substitute

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'cover' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1702

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'cover' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1278

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'cover' in Nouns Frequency: #833

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'cover' in Verbs Frequency: #121

How to pronounce cover?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say cover in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of cover in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of cover in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of cover in a Sentence

1. Jeremy Farrar:

   It's so thinly stretched, there's arguably no organization on earth that could cover all those (topics) at sufficient depth to be authoritative.

2. President Barack Obama:

   Whether that's building roads, or setting up effective power grids, or making sure that we've got high-quality public education — that teachers are paid enough — the market will not cover those things. And we've got to do them together. Basic research falls in that category.

3. Mauro Leos:

   Petrobras is still an issue but not in the very near term, the cash position is sufficient to cover all payments this year and maybe till mid-2017. The question is what happens after that.

4. Jon Tester:

   I was 9 years old when I lost my fingers in this meat grinder, my parents paid for the hospital because our health care didn't cover anything.

5. Laurence Doud:

   Laurence Doud is being framed, in no uncertain terms. The government has it all wrong and is being used by others to cover up their wrongdoing, laurence Doud will fight these false charges to Laurence Doud last breath, and Laurence Doud will be vindicated.

Images & Illustrations of cover

Popularity rank by frequency of use