What does "covering" mean?

1. (a protective layer) a layer of something that covers a surface to protect or hide it. 2. (the act of covering) the action of putting a layer over something. 3. (mathematical sets) a collection of sets that together contain all the points of another set.

covering

US //ˈkəvɝɪŋ// UK //kˈʌvəɹɪŋ// cov·er·ing

1 a protective layer (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a layer of something that covers a surface to protect or hide it.

a physical layer or object spread over another to provide protection, insulation, or concealment.

Example

The floor had a thick covering of dust because no one had lived there for years.

Example

The delicate seedlings require a light covering of mulch to protect them from the unexpected overnight frost.
2 the act of covering (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the action of putting a layer over something.

the process or action of applying a cover or spreading a substance over a surface.

Example

The covering of the furniture took all afternoon because we had so many chairs.

Example

The rapid covering of the landscape by volcanic ash made the evacuation efforts significantly more hazardous for the rescue teams.
- application
- coating

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3 mathematical sets (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Math

a collection of sets that together contain all the points of another set.

a collection of sets whose union contains a given set or space. Often used in the context of open covers in topology.

Example

The professor explained how to find a finite covering for the given set.

Example

In topology, a space is considered compact if every open covering has a finite subcollection that also covers the space.
- cover

Etymology 1

Present participle or participial adjective from cover (verb) + -ing; or, from Middle English coverynge, participle form of coveren, keveren (“to cover”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English coverynge, -inge, keverynge, -inge [verbal noun of coveren, keveren (“to cover”)]; or, verbal noun from cover (verb) + -ing.