Definition & Meaning of "sandpaper"

What is "sandpaper"?

Sandpaper is a type of abrasive material used for smoothing or polishing surfaces. It consists of a paper backing coated with tiny particles of a rough material, like sand or aluminum oxide, that scrape away small amounts of material when rubbed against a surface. Sandpaper is commonly used in woodworking, metalworking, and finishing tasks to smooth rough surfaces, remove old paint, or prepare surfaces for further treatment. It comes in different grits, with lower numbers for coarse sanding and higher numbers for finer finishes.