Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

umbrella term

noun

/ʌmˈbrɛlə tɜrm/

Definition

A broad term that encompasses and unifies several related concepts or categories.

Examples

In the field of technology, ‘information technology’ is an umbrella term that includes computer systems, software, and telecommunications.
The term ‘fruit’ is an umbrella term that covers apples, oranges, bananas, and many other kinds of edible plants.
‘Sports’ serves as an umbrella term for various activities such as soccer, basketball, and tennis.

Meaning

The phrase ‘umbrella term’ refers to a word or expression that captures a general idea and includes various specific items or elements under it. It is used to simplify communication by grouping related subjects together.