umbrella

1 of 2

noun

um·​brel·​la ˌəm-ˈbre-lə 

 especially Southern  ˈəm-ˌbre-

1

: a collapsible shade for protection against weather consisting of fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole

especially : a small one for carrying in the hand

2

: something which covers or embraces a broad range of elements or factors

decided to expand … by building new colleges under a federation umbrella

—Diane Ravitch

3

: the bell-shaped or saucer-shaped largely gelatinous structure that forms the chief part of the body of most jellyfishes : bell entry 1 sense 3b

4

: something which provides protection: such as

a

: defensive air cover (as over a battlefront)

b

: a heavy barrage

umbrella

2 of 2

verb

umbrellaed; umbrellaing

transitive verb

: to protect, cover, or provide with an umbrella

Examples of umbrella in a Sentence

Noun

The store sells Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern foods under the umbrella of international cuisine.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The small lobby with its inviting fireplace, or the lush back garden with a bubbling copper fountain and striped umbrellas are the places to enjoy the hotel’s daily breakfast baskets featuring treats from Brentwood bakery Clark Street. —Booth Moore, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024

Some of the most notable projects that are under this Neom umbrella include the Line megacity and twin skyscrapers Epicon. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024

Verb

Red umbrellas became a red rain, then umbrellas again. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023

In notoriously windy Palm Springs, that siting is crucial during the gusty season (April through June) when cafe umbrellas elsewhere easily topple from the gusts. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian ombrella, modification of Latin umbella, diminutive of umbra

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing umbrella

• umbrella plant
• umbrella tree

Kids Definition

umbrella

noun

um·​brel·​la

ˌəm-ˈbrel-ə

1

: a collapsible covering for protection against weather consisting of fabric stretched over a hinged frame coming out from a center pole

especially : a small one for carrying in the hand

2

: something resembling an umbrella in shape or purpose

Etymology

Noun

from Italian ombrella "umbrella," from Latin umbella, literally, "little shade," from umbra "shade, shadow"

Legal Definition

umbrella

adjective

um·​brel·​la

: being or relating to a supplemental insurance policy that extends the coverage of an underlying policy on the same risk

an umbrella policy

umbrella liability insurance