# awning

/ˈɑnɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈɔːnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awning
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. shelter over a window or door

noun · CEFR B2

a cover made of canvas or plastic that sticks out from a building to protect you from sun or rain.

For teachers: a rooflike cover, usually of canvas, extended over or before a place as a shelter from the elements.

- We sat under the shop's awning to stay dry while it rained.
- The striped canvas awning provided much-needed respite from the midday sun for the diners seated at the outdoor terrace.

### 2. nautical deck cover

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a cover used on a ship to provide shade on the deck.

For teachers: a canvas covering used on a vessel's deck for protection against the sun; also refers to a specific extension of the poop deck.

- The crew rigged the awning over the aft deck to keep the passengers cool.
- The captain ordered the deck awning to be secured tightly before the tropical squall reached the vessel.

Usage: In modern maritime contexts, it refers to the physical fabric shade rather than the structural deck extension.

## Examples

- The shop owner pulled down the awning to protect the customers from the sun.
- The café installed a retractable awning over the outdoor seating area to allow for dining during the hottest part of the day.
- While the main deck was exposed to the elements, a heavy canvas awning provided a dry and shaded area for the crew to gather and eat their midday meal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.