ˈkəv(ə)rij, -rēj noun
( -s )
Etymology: cover (I) + -age
1. : the act or fact of including or treating : a thing that covers : cover: as
a. : insurance : protection by insurance policy : inclusion within the scope of a protective or beneficial plan
coverage against liability claims
coverage for librarians in the teachers' retirement system
b. : the amount (as of gold) available to meet liabilities
a 40 percent gold coverage of outstanding bank notes
c. : treatment to publicize or make known
the coverage of the subject in his botany text
(1) : news reporting and comment
coverage of the state department involves certain technical problems
(2) : amount of news reporting
the revolution was given scant coverage abroad
the dictator demanded better coverage for his domestic program
d. : provision of cover by aircraft
e. : vegetation covering the ground : ground cover
2. : whatever is covered : scope or extent of covering : aggregate of items covered: as
a. : the area that may be covered with a gallon of paint, varnish, or other surface cover — distinguished from hiding power
b. : extent of covering by plant sprays
c. : the aggregate of risks covered by the terms of a contract of insurance
a policy with extensive coverage
d.
(1) : the number of persons or the population area reached or served by a communication or a medium of communication : percentage of potential customers covered
an advertisement with wide coverage
a radio station with more power and greater coverage
(2) : the circulation of a newspaper or periodical in a given area or throughout a class of people
e. : the area of the subject that is or can be included clearly in a photographic image
f. : percentage of ground area occupied by buildings