A sunshade is any device or structure designed to block sunlight and create shade. The most common type is a parasol or umbrella you can hold while walking on a sunny day, protecting your head and face from direct sun. Beach umbrellas, patio umbrellas, and the fabric canopies over outdoor cafes are all types of sunshades.

Cars often have built-in sunshades: the visor you flip down to block bright sunlight while driving, or the retractable shade some vehicles have in their rear windows. Some sunshades are permanent structures, like the metal awnings over bus stops or the covered walkways connecting buildings at a school.

The word describes the function rather than a specific object. Anything that blocks sunlight to create a cooler, more comfortable space underneath counts as a sunshade. A wide-brimmed hat works as a personal sunshade. Even a large tree can serve as a natural sunshade on a hot afternoon, though we usually reserve the word for things people have made or positioned specifically for shade.