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

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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

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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

But recent events have shown that much-vaunted security umbrella to be a leaky one.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

The combination of Paramount and Warner would place two legacy movie and television studios, two subscription streaming services, CNN, Food Network, MTV, CBS and HBO under one corporate umbrella.

From The Wall Street Journal ● 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

“You could have let me go with an umbrella to puzzle over, but instead you chased me down. Why?”

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

As the train arrived in San Clemente, passengers peered through the train windows to take in the crashing waves, sandy shoreline and beachgoers relaxing underneath umbrellas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 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

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

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

I pass under the broad trees that cast shades like umbrellas.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

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Related Words

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