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

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

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

cover (one's) ass

1. Vulgar SlangTo take measures to avoid being held responsible if something goes wrong. To take measures to avoid being held responsible if something goes wrong.

1. To conceal traces so as to elude pursuers.

1. To traverse a given distance with satisfying speed.
2. To deal with or accomplish something in a certain manner: The history course covered a lot of ground in six weeks.

1. To seek concealment or protection, as from enemy fire.

1. In an enclosure for mailing.
2. Being hidden or protected, as by darkness.

[Middle English coveren, from Old French covrir, from Latin cooperīre, to cover completely : co-, intensive pref.; see co- + operīre, to cover.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.