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

Dylan, 85, wore a nearly all-black outfit, including a pulled up hoodie, gloves and umbrella, starkly contrasting with the Chicago-born Pope's all-white vestments.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

In Antigua and Barbuda, at a rally to mark the country's Independence Day, a sudden downpour left the King drenched, without an umbrella and looking momentarily cross.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Applied to the Middle East, that means the Gulf states can no longer rely on the U.S. security umbrella.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Trick-or-treaters may want to add an umbrella to their costume, because there’s a chance it could be dark and stormy on Halloween, the National Weather Service said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

Jomo placed the watering can aside and began to pick the umbrella tree fruit; they had fallen during the previous night, and lay, oval and pale yellow, on the lawn.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The six band members are clutching Union jack umbrellas as they pose for press photographs and mingle with British pop acts, including K-pop-trained boyband dearALICE.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

It was the place where rained-out sporting events and umbrellas at the Rose Parade were so rare they were occasions for big news.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Some had waited all afternoon in sweltering heat beneath the scant shade of umbrellas, while others, the best prepared, had set up their telescopes.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 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

Fall arrived and it rained every day, meaning we would now be scolded for the water dripping from our coats and umbrellas.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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