¹umbrella

noun um·brel·la \ˌəm-ˈbre-lə, especially Southern ˈəm-ˌ\

: a device that is used for protection from the rain and sun

: a group or organization that includes many smaller groups

: something that includes several or many different things

Full Definition of UMBRELLA

: 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

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

: something which provides protection: as

a : defensive air cover (as over a battlefront)

b : a heavy barrage

: 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>

See umbrella defined for English-language learners

See umbrella defined for kids

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

verb

umbrellaedumbrella·ing

Definition of UMBRELLA

transitive verb

: to protect, cover, or provide with an umbrella

First Known Use of UMBRELLA

1834

Rhymes with UMBRELLA

vanilla

UMBRELLA Defined for Kids

umbrella

noun um·brel·la \ˌəm-ˈbre-lə\

Definition of UMBRELLA for Kids

: a fabric covering stretched over a circular folding frame of rods attached to a pole and used as a protection against rain or sun

Word History of UMBRELLA

We most often think of an umbrella as something that protects us from the rain. However, its shade can protect us from the hot sun, too. The English word umbrella came from Italian ombrella, which itself is taken from Latin umbella, literally, “little shade.” Umbella is derived from umbra, meaning “shade” or “shadow.”