umbrella

1 of 2

noun

um·​brel·​la ˌəm-ˈbre-lə How to pronounce umbrella (audio)
 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 umbrellaDiane 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
Grab an umbrella if staying out late and plan on a wet Saturday. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The table is 63 inches long — plenty big enough to fit six adults — and includes a hole for an outdoor umbrella to throw shade on hotter days. Monica Bell, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Luckily, a wake-up chat with Marshall puts Ted back on track, and the night isn't a total wash — Ted snags a yellow umbrella from the club and just misses the Mother. Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Some were tiny, less than an inch in size with delicate paper-like umbrellas. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 The search is on for wide umbrellas under which fans can wait. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Outside, crowds failed to be muted by the March drizzle, though VIP guests were given escorts with purple umbrellas. Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024 Members of the Caricom regional trade bloc have been trying for months to get political actors in Haiti to agree to form an umbrella transitional unity government. Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2024 With the start of hurricane season, there are sure to be more than a few thunderstorms, so an umbrella stand is a must. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'umbrella.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of umbrella was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near umbrella

Cite this Entry

“Umbrella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/umbrella. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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