umbrella
Americannoun
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umbrellas
plural
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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.
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the saucer- or bowl-shaped, gelatinous body of a jellyfish; bell.
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something that covers or protects from above, as military aircraft safeguarding surface forces.
an air umbrella.
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any general kind of protection.
a price umbrella.
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something, as an organization or policy, that covers or encompasses a number of groups or elements.
adjective
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shaped like or intended to perform the function of an umbrella.
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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.
noun
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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
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the flattened cone-shaped contractile body of a jellyfish or other medusa
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a protective shield or screen, esp of aircraft or gunfire
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anything that has the effect of a protective screen or cover
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any system or agency that provides centralized organization or general cover for a group of related companies, organizations, etc
dance umbrella
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( as modifier )
an umbrella fund
umbrella group
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.”
Vocabulary lists containing umbrella
Lyrics from "Umbrella" by Rihanna
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Muñoz emphasized the strength the automaker has from its vertical integration with its umbrella company, Hyundai Motor Group, which includes affiliates in steel, logistics, finance, and robot-maker Boston Dynamics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
Whether walking in freezing rain without an umbrella or wearing Mickey Mouse ears around campus, Zamorano always knows what he’s doing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026
Each successive powerful eruptive pulse sends another column tens of kilometers upwards, from where it spreads into a new umbrella cloud.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
The proposals have been shared with Holyrood's committees and council umbrella body Cosla ahead of a public consultation.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026
“Save him!” screamed Mrs. Gloop, going white in the face, and waving her umbrella about.
From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
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
Items such as clothes with built-in fans, disposable wet-towels, UV and heat blocking umbrellas, and portable handheld fans have been popular and sold in shops nationwide.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
The twin-engine plane’s powerful jet blast sent beachgoers scrambling as sand, umbrellas and chairs were whipped through the air in the Florida community of Pensacola Beach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
The locals never carry umbrellas; Elle shows up with a pink one.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
The Carter side fell silent, pulling out umbrellas to ward off the miserable rain that now started falling again.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
