1. A square cloak made of a heavy piece of fabric; especially, wool, worn over normal everyday clothes: "The poncho has a hole in the middle for the head, and the one that Sam's mother gave him was warmer and more comfortable than his newly bought winter jacket from the department store in town."
2. A large piece of cloth, often waterproof, but with a hood which can be made of plastic and used as a raincoat: "Marie had a red poncho with a hood which was the perfect rain gear for riding her bike because it kept her hair completely dry."

"Waterproof ponchos are used by some military forces; as well as, by campers and hikers."

3. Etymology: from American Spanish, which came from Araucanian pantho, "woolen material".