umbrella

¹um·brel·la

noun \ˌəm-ˈbre-lə, especially Southern ˈəm-ˌ\

Definition of UMBRELLA

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

: the bell-shaped or saucer-shaped largely gelatinous structure that forms the chief part of the body of most jellyfishes

3

: something which provides protection: as

a : defensive air cover (as over a battlefront)

b : a heavy barrage

4

: 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>

Examples of UMBRELLA

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

Origin of UMBRELLA

Italian ombrella, modification of Latin umbella, diminutive of umbra

First Known Use: 1611

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

Rhymes with UMBRELLA

Capella, chlorella, favela, glabella, lamella, Mandela, nigella, novella, paella, patella, predella, prunella, quiniela, rubella, sequela, vanilla

²umbrella

transitive verb

umbrellaedumbrella·ing

Definition of UMBRELLA

: to protect, cover, or provide with an umbrella

First Known Use of UMBRELLA

1834

Rhymes with UMBRELLA

vanilla