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

"Rather we aspire for it to grow, and perhaps appropriate conditions will emerge one day for all countries of the region to gather under its umbrella."

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

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

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

She adds, “The concept of the celebrity documentary is like a giant umbrella, and there are just so many lanes of what that can mean.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

There is no common thread in the U.S. government’s acquisition of these stakes beyond a broad “economic and national security” umbrella.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

She recognized The Fountain by the courtyard in front of it containing chairs, striped umbrella tables, and—yes—a fountain spurting water from two crossed jugs into a blue pool.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

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 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

"That bag! That bag!" one shopper shouts while racing through the warehouse, filled with everything from colourful toys -- including popular Gundam action figures -- to ceramic bowls, beaded necklaces and even used umbrellas.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

In December, 1959, the Somerset’s “beach facilities” consisted of two beach umbrellas stuck in a strip of sand at the rear of the hotel.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Related Words

• shade