What is an umbrella term?

An umbrella term is a word or phrase that covers a broad range of related concepts or categories under its shade. It is often used to simplify complex ideas or to group together various subcategories or elements for the ease of communication. For example, the word "sports" can be considered an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of activities such as soccer, tennis, basketball, swimming, etc.

Umbrella terms are also useful when discussing sensitive topics such as race or gender, as they can be used to acknowledge and respect the diversity within a group of people without segregating them into specific categories.

It is important to note that while umbrella terms provide a helpful way to organize ideas, they can also oversimplify complex issues and hide important nuances within the broader category. Therefore, it is always essential to use umbrella terms with caution and acknowledge the differences and complexities within the category they represent.