umbrella Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
  2. noun a formation of military planes maintained over ground operations or targets
    • an air umbrella over England
  3. noun having the function of uniting a group of similar things
    • the Democratic Party is an umbrella for many liberal groups
    • under the umbrella of capitalism
  4. adjective satellite covering or applying simultaneously to a number of similar items or elements or groups
    • an umbrella organization
    • umbrella insurance coverage

WordNet

Um*brel"la noun
Etymology
It. umbrella, fr. ombra a shade, L. umbra; cf. L. umbella a sunshade, a parasol. Cf. Umbel, Umbrage.
Definitions
  1. A shade, screen, or guard, carried in the hand for sheltering the person from the rays of the sun, or from rain or snow. It is formed of silk, cotton, or other fabric, extended on strips of whalebone, steel, or other elastic material, inserted, or fastened to, a rod or stick by means of pivots or hinges, in such a way as to allow of being opened and closed with ease. See Parasol.
    Underneath the umbrella's oily shed. Gay.
  2. (Zoöl.) The umbrellalike disk, or swimming bell, of a jellyfish.
  3. (Zoöl.) Any marine tectibranchiate gastropod of the genus Umbrella, having an umbrella-shaped shell; -- called also umbrella shell.

Webster 1913