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.

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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

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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 plastic table she has set up to try to sell a few last items brought from home, and the umbrella shielding her from the relentless sun, were bought with donations.

From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026

Driving north from Melides toward the town of Comporta, through the western reaches of Portugal’s Alentejo region, I passed expansive rice fields, forests of umbrella pines and clusters of whitewashed homes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Lori Anderson is the director of Festivals Edinburgh, an umbrella organisation for the major city festivals.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Among the producers on the film is Michael Nesmith, a former member of the Monkees, and through him the project fell under the production umbrella of NBC.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

I thought it might be a lady pirate, since the words sounded something alike, but then again, I thought it might be an umbrella.

From "Bunnicula" by Deborah Howe and James Howe

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

The White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth celebrated the incident on social media after beachgoers were scrambled and sand, umbrellas and chairs were whipped through the air.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Additional water and electrolytes are being provided to players, as well as iced towels and umbrellas during changeovers.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

There, peering in at a shop full of sleek umbrellas, I realized one should be her wedding present and we quickly had it.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• shade