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

King Charles III was left drenched and without an umbrella when a torrential downpour interrupted celebrations of Antigua and Barbuda's independence day on Sunday.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 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

"One of the most important pillars of national unification is how the military units currently controlled separately by both sides will be brought together under a single umbrella," he added.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

He said the French plan “doesn’t replace anything. It supplements the nuclear guarantees that were already there” from the U.S. nuclear umbrella.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Now and then a great jellyfish floated by, like an open umbrella made of glass, pulsing its way along just beneath the surface.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

It’s time to grab those jackets and pull out the umbrellas because cooler temperatures and a chance of rain is on tap for Southern California by the middle of this week, forecasters say.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

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

Residents used shawls and umbrellas to protect themselves in open-air hallways.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 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

When all my friends were getting Pound Puppies and She-Ra figurines, my mom had wrapped up place mats and umbrellas that I recognized from our local drugstore.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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