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

To best enjoy your WOW visit, bring an umbrella, something dry to sit on and be sure to wear warm, layered clothing and good walking shoes. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Its unique white and blue beach house, resembling a sleek ocean liner, features a restaurant, ice cream cafe, restrooms, and rental facilities for bicycles, kayaks, paddle boards, jet skis, beach chairs, umbrellas, and more. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024

This entails acquiring entire companies or interests in sectors spanning technology, oil and gas, manufacturing, real estate, and more, ultimately integrating them as operating subsidiaries under the Southern ITS International umbrella. —Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

The umbrella name that Farley uses for all his outputs is Motern. —Brett Martin, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024

Most Kroger stores and the grocery stores under its umbrella will be open on Easter, the company said. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024

Totes Kid's Clear Bubble Umbrella $26 Buy on Macy's Kids will love carrying their very own umbrella on their way to a rainy day playdate. —Maya Polton, Parents, 24 Mar. 2024

This time, his threats would hold more weight, because Europe could no longer depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. —Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2024

Grab an umbrella if staying out late and plan on a wet Saturday. —Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 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

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