umbrella

[ uhm-brel-uh ]

/ ʌmˈbrɛl ə /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR umbrella ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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

something that covers or protects from above, as military aircraft safeguarding surface forces: an air umbrella.

any general kind of protection: a price umbrella.

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

adjective

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

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.

Nearby words

umbonic, umbra, umbrage, umbrageous, umbrageously, umbrella, umbrella bird, umbrella leaf, umbrella palm, umbrella pine, umbrella plant

Origin of umbrella

1600–10; 1965–70 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

Related forms

um·brel·la·less, adjectiveum·brel·la·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for umbrella

And that means they also fall under the umbrella of programs most likely to get the axe when state and federal budgets are tight.
How to Solve the Policing Crisis|Keli Goff|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The program—weirdly—is now under the umbrella of ABC News, and is suffering from flat ratings and an aging demographic.
The Bloodiest Media Coups of 2014|Lloyd Grove|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The law professor, Benny Tai, urged the students to “retreat and take the spirit of the Umbrella Movement into the community.”
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong|Brendon Hong|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Think of them as the Monuments Men and Women of the Umbrella Movement.
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong|Brendon Hong|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

From Carnations to Umbrella, the history and importance of names people give to nonviolent movements.
You Say You Want to Name a Revolution?|Jack DuVall|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every one carries an umbrella in Bergen, for that city is said to be the rainiest in the world.
Chasing the Sun|R.M. Ballantyne
Leaving him still in the hall, clutching nervously at his umbrella, she went into the kitchen and sent out Kathleen.
The Shadow|Mary White Ovington
The wind blew harder, too, and drove the rain in under the umbrella, so that our travellers were beginning to get quite wet.
Rollo in Scotland|Jacob Abbott
One umbrella, were it no bigger than a fairy mushroom, is worth ten such stopgaps.
Ulysses|James Joyce
He walked rapidly toward home, for the weather looked threatening, and Tom had no umbrella.
Tom Swift Among The Diamond Makers|Victor Appleton

British Dictionary definitions for umbrella

umbrella

/ (ʌmˈbrɛlə) /

noun

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

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

a protective shield or screen, esp of aircraft or gunfire

anything that has the effect of a protective screen or cover

any system or agency that provides centralized organization or general cover for a group of related companies, organizations, etcdance umbrella
(as modifier)an umbrella fund; umbrella group

Derived Forms

umbrella-like, adjective

Word Origin for umbrella

C17: from Italian ombrella, diminutive of ombra shade; see umbra

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012