umbrella
1 of 2noun
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
Diane Ravitch3
: 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 2verb
umbrellaed; umbrellaing
transitive verb
: to protect, cover, or provide with an umbrella
Example Sentences
Noun The store sells Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern foods under the umbrella of international cuisine.
Recent Examples on the Web Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Perhaps the Montrose brunch destination was among the first to fall under the vibe dining umbrella, but the term has taken on a whole new meaning since. Megha Mcswain, Chron, 1 Sep. 2022 Besides Topgolf and Callaway, other brands under the company’s umbrella include TravisMathew, Toptracer, Odyssey, OGIO, Jack Wolfskin, and World Golf Tour. Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Reiss will also work on audience and platform growth for the show as well as launch new audio projects under the Meet the Press umbrella. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Aug. 2022 Rather than being chastened, NATO has expanded, bringing Sweden and Finland beneath the umbrella of the world’s preeminent military alliance. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Another shot on her Instagram Story showed Vergara playfully biting into a mini baguette, while holding a beige umbrella guests used to stave off the bright sun. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 Keep that umbrella handy today and tonight because the chance of showers and thunderstorms will fall from 70 to just 60%. Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2022 This is most obvious in his laborious seven-veils dance over whether to annex Ukrainian territory and bring it under Russia’s nuclear umbrella. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
The umbrella is shielding a crew member peering into the cockpit from the far side of the car. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Perhaps the Montrose brunch destination was among the first to fall under the vibe dining umbrella, but the term has taken on a whole new meaning since. Megha Mcswain, Chron, 1 Sep. 2022 Besides Topgolf and Callaway, other brands under the company’s umbrella include TravisMathew, Toptracer, Odyssey, OGIO, Jack Wolfskin, and World Golf Tour. Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Reiss will also work on audience and platform growth for the show as well as launch new audio projects under the Meet the Press umbrella. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Aug. 2022 Rather than being chastened, NATO has expanded, bringing Sweden and Finland beneath the umbrella of the world’s preeminent military alliance. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Another shot on her Instagram Story showed Vergara playfully biting into a mini baguette, while holding a beige umbrella guests used to stave off the bright sun. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 Keep that umbrella handy today and tonight because the chance of showers and thunderstorms will fall from 70 to just 60%. Jeanne Houck, The Enquirer, 15 Aug. 2022 This is most obvious in his laborious seven-veils dance over whether to annex Ukrainian territory and bring it under Russia’s nuclear umbrella. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
umbrella
noun
um·brel·la ˌəm-ˈbre-lə
: a fabric covering stretched over a circular folding frame of rods attached to a pole and used as a protection against rain or sun
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
umbrellas
noun
as in screens
a collapsible covering used to protect against rain or sun I always keep an umbrella handy—you never know when you might need one. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- screens
- shields
- sunshades
- shelters
- arbors
- shades
- pavilions
- domes
- awnings
- marquees
- canopies
- tents
- bowers
- canvases
- pergolas
- roofs
- flies
- canvasses
- ceilings
- covers