Waterproofing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in construction and manufacturing to describe techniques, materials, or coatings applied to make objects or structures impervious to water.

• They applied waterproofing to the basement walls to prevent flooding
• The tent has excellent waterproofing to keep us dry during rainstorms

Applied to describe products that can withstand some exposure to water but are not completely impervious, often used for electronics, watches, and some types of clothing.

• This watch has water resistance up to 50 meters
• The water-resistant phone case kept my device safe during the drizzle

Common in contexts where protection against vapor or dampness is important, such as in building construction or packaging.

• We installed a moisture barrier under the wooden floorboards
• The packaging includes a moisture barrier to keep the contents fresh

Describes materials or treatments that cause water to bead up and roll off rather than soak in, often used in clothing, outdoor gear, and coatings.

• My new jacket is water repellent, so it keeps me dry in light rain
• They used a water repellent spray on the fabric sofa

Duplicate entry; see the context and examples for the first 'waterproofing' entry.

Water-resistant treatment is used for items that can resist water penetration to some extent but not fully. This term is often seen in the context of electronics, watches, and clothing.

• The water-resistant treatment on this watch makes it safe to wear while washing hands
• These boots have a water-resistant treatment that protects against light rain

Water-repellent coating signifies a layer that prevents water from soaking into a surface but isn’t necessarily completely waterproof. It’s often used for clothing and footwear.

• This jacket has a water-repellent coating to keep you dry in light rain
• Applying a water-repellent coating to my shoes helps them last longer

Moisture-proofing is often used in situations where you need to protect against humidity or dampness but not necessarily direct water contact. It's common in packaging and home improvement.

• The moisture-proofing on these bags keeps the contents dry
• We added moisture-proofing to the wooden floor to prevent damage