What is the meaning of covering fire?

(DoD) In amphibious usage, fire delivered prior to the landing to cover preparatory operations such as underwater demolition or mine countermeasures.
(DoD) Fire used to protect troops when they are within range of enemy small arms.
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.
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APAMilitary Dictionary (DoD). (2011). covering fire. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/covering_fire/definitions/1961140
ChicagoMilitary Dictionary (DoD). 2011. "covering fire" http://smartdefine.org/covering_fire/definitions/1961140 (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardMilitary Dictionary (DoD) 2011, covering fire, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/covering_fire/definitions/1961140>.
MLAMilitary Dictionary (DoD). "covering fire" 4 April 2011. Web. 23 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/covering_fire/definitions/1961140>
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