umbrella

American  

[uhm-brel-uh] / ʌmˈbrɛl ə /

noun

• umbrellas
  plural

1. a light, small, portable, usually circular cover for protection from rain or sun, consisting of a fabric held on a collapsible frame of thin ribs radiating from the top of a carrying stick or handle.

2. the saucer- or bowl-shaped, gelatinous body of a jellyfish; bell.

3. something that covers or protects from above, as military aircraft safeguarding surface forces.

   an air umbrella.

4. any general kind of protection.

   a price umbrella.

5. something, as an organization or policy, that covers or encompasses a number of groups or elements.

---

adjective

1. shaped like or intended to perform the function of an umbrella.

2. having the quality or function of covering or applying simultaneously to a number of similar items, elements, or groups.

   an umbrella organization; umbrella coverage in an insurance policy.

umbrella British  

/ ʌmˈbrɛlə /

noun

1. a portable device used for protection against rain, snow, etc, and consisting of a light canopy supported on a collapsible metal frame mounted on a central rod

2. the flattened cone-shaped contractile body of a jellyfish or other medusa

3. a protective shield or screen, esp of aircraft or gunfire

4. anything that has the effect of a protective screen or cover

5. 1. any system or agency that provides centralized organization or general cover for a group of related companies, organizations, etc

      dance umbrella

   2. ( as modifier )

      an umbrella fund

      umbrella group

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• umbrella-like
  adjective
• umbrellaless
  adjective
• umbrellalike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• umbrellas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of umbrella

1600–10; 1965–70 umbrella for def. 7; < Italian ombrella, earlier variant of ombrello < Late Latin umbrella, alteration (with influence of Latin umbra shade) of Latin umbella sunshade. See umbel

Explanation

An umbrella is the gizmo used to protect yourself from rain or sun. An umbrella can also be something that groups similar things, like an umbrella organization that protects and serves many smaller organizations. An umbrella is that lightweight, collapsible cover that’s handy on a rainy day. People also use umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. Since an umbrella covers people and things, umbrella is also a metaphor for something that brings unity. An umbrella agency brings together other smaller and related agencies. An umbrella term can be applied to many concepts. To bring things together in this way is to umbrella, as in “The merger umbrellas several companies.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

umbrella umbrellas

The Guardian shows Team GB athlete Morgan Lake seeking shade from the heat under an umbrella during the European Athletics Championship in Birmingham above an article headlined on temperatures hitting 38.1C "as fifth heatwave peaks".

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

"Rather we aspire for it to grow, and perhaps appropriate conditions will emerge one day for all countries of the region to gather under its umbrella."

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

There is no common thread in the U.S. government’s acquisition of these stakes beyond a broad “economic and national security” umbrella.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Also on the no-fly list: umbrella drinks and casinos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

I automatically started pulling my umbrella from under the bed, but when I looked up and saw Diego watching me I paused.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

The downpour is marked with a picture of Brits under umbrellas.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Who needs umbrellas when you’ve got a tanning bed, a chin-up bar, beef-tallow stockpiles, and a gallon of only-sometimes-poisonous raw milk?

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Woven baskets, checkered blankets, fringed umbrellas and trimmed napkins prove picnic classics never go out of style.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

The locals never carry umbrellas; Elle shows up with a pink one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

The crowd was hidden beneath a sea of cloaks and battered umbrellas.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• shade