umbrella

A folding cover on a handle that you hold above your head to keep rain off.

• Take an umbrella today.
• She opened her umbrella when it started raining.
• We shared an umbrella on the walk home.

Common phrases: open an umbrella, carry an umbrella, under an umbrella, beach umbrella

An organization that brings several smaller organizations together under its control.

• The charities work under one umbrella.
• An umbrella organization manages the local clubs.
• Several small businesses joined the company umbrella.

How to use it: under the umbrella of something (The clubs operate under the umbrella of a national association.)

Similar words: parent organization

Common phrases: umbrella organization, company umbrella, under one umbrella

Something that protects people or things from danger, damage, or trouble.

• The alliance provides a security umbrella.
• Fighter planes formed a defensive umbrella over the ships.
• The country relies on its neighbour’s nuclear umbrella.

How to use it: under the umbrella of something (The region remained under the umbrella of the defence alliance.)

Similar words: shield, protection

Common phrases: defensive umbrella, nuclear umbrella, security umbrella