armadillo

noun

ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdi-(ˌ)lō 

plural armadillos

: any of a family (Dasypodidae) of burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern U.S. to Argentina and having the body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates

Illustration of armadillo

Examples of armadillo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alongside the standard influx of squirrels and opossums, the rescue has recently taken in baby armadillos. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026

Alongside the typical squirrels and opossums, Maron said the rescue has recently taken in baby armadillos. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026

Of course, there's lots of pottery, in the form of everything from birds and bugs to Texas armadillos. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026

With armadillo races, live music and over 100 vendors and food trucks, organizers said there's a little piece of Texas for everyone. —Marissa Armas, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative, with -illo, diminutive suffix, of armado, past participle of armar "to arm," going back to Latin armāre — more at arm entry 2

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for armadillo

• billow
• pillow
• caudillo

Kids Definition

armadillo

noun

ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdil-ō 

plural armadillos

: any of several small burrowing mammals of warm parts of the Americas whose head and body are protected by hard bony armor