·Anumbrellaorparasolis a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole.

·It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight.

·The word "umbrella" typically refers to a device used for protection from the rain.

·The word parasol usuallyrefers to an item designed to protect from the sun.

·Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof.

·Umbrella canopies may be made of fabric or flexible plastic.

·Umbrellas and parasols are primarily hand-held portable devices sized for personal use.

·The largest hand-portable umbrellas are golf umbrellas.

·Umbrellas can be divided into two categories: fully collapsible umbrellas, in which the metal pole supporting the canopy retracts, making the umbrella small enough to fit in a handbag; and non-collapsible umbrellas, in which the support pole cannot retract and only the canopy can be collapsed.

·Another distinction can be made between manually operated umbrellas and spring-loaded automatic umbrellas which spring open at the press of a button.