umbrella

[uhm-brel-uh]

noun

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

/ 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

• umbrellaless adjective
• umbrellalike adjective
• umbrella-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbrella¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of umbrella¹

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

Example Sentences

Like the climate crisis or the crisis of democratic legitimacy, the affordability crisis has become an umbrella term for countless loosely connected phenomena.

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It had 38,400 agents on its platform in its most recent quarter, and expects its pending acquisition of brokerage Anywhere Real Estate to bring 340,000 agents under its umbrella internationally.

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Organizers had to run out to buy 100 umbrellas to keep speakers dry.

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A combination of Paramount and Warner would also put two major studios under one corporate umbrella.

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Enable a less soggy vacation with this small-but-mighty umbrella that folds down to an extremely packable 9 inches.

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Related Words

• shade