umbrella

UK: /ʌmˈbrɛlə/ US: /ʌmˈbrɛlə/ ,(um brel′ə)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

um•brel•la /ʌmˈbrɛlə/   n. [countable] , pl. -las. 

1. a light, circular cover for protection from rain, snow, or sometimes hot sun, made of a frame of fabric supported by thin ribs that come out of the top of a carrying stick or handle.
2. something that protects from above, as military aircraft over ground forces.
3. something, as an organization or policy, that includes a number of groups or elements.

adj. [before a noun]

4. applying to a number of similar elements or groups at the same time:
   an umbrella insurance policy.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

um•brel•la  (um brel′ə), n. 

1. a light, small, portable, usually circular cover for protection from rain or sun, consisting of a fabric held on a collapsible frame of thin ribs radiating from the top of a carrying stick or handle.
2. Invertebrates the saucer- or bowl-shaped, gelatinous body of a jellyfish;
   bell.
3. something that covers or protects from above, as military aircraft safeguarding surface forces:
   an air umbrella.
4. any general kind of protection:
   a price umbrella.
5. something, as an organization or policy, that covers or encompasses a number of groups or elements.

adj. 

6. shaped like or intended to perform the function of an umbrella.
7. having the quality or function of covering or applying simultaneously to a number of similar items, elements, or groups:
   an umbrella organization; umbrella coverage in an insurance policy.

• Late Latin umbrella, alteration (with influence of Latin umbra shade) of Latin umbella sunshade. See umbel
• Italian ombrella, earlier variant of ombrello
• 1600–10; 1965–70 for def. 7;

um•brel′la•less, adj. 
um•brel′la•like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

umbrella / ʌmˈbrɛlə/ noun

1. a portable device used for protection against rain, snow, etc, and consisting of a light canopy supported on a collapsible metal frame mounted on a central rod
2. the flattened cone-shaped contractile body of a jellyfish or other medusa
3. a protective shield or screen, esp of aircraft or gunfire
4. anything that has the effect of a protective screen or cover

Etymology: 17th Century: from Italian ombrella, diminutive of ombra shade; see umbra

umˈbrella-ˌlike adjective