armor

noun

ar·​mor ˈär-mər How to pronounce armor (audio)
1
: defensive covering for the body
especially : covering (as of metal) used in combat
2
: a quality or circumstance that affords protection
the armor of prosperity
3
: a protective outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable)
4
: armored forces and vehicles (such as tanks)
armor transitive verb
armorless adjective

Illustration of armor

Illustration of armor
  • 1 helmet
  • 2 gorget
  • 3 shoulder piece
  • 4 pallette
  • 5 breastplate
  • 6 brassard
  • 7 elbow piece
  • 8 skirt of tasses
  • 9 tuille
  • 10 gauntlet
  • 11 cuisse
  • 12 knee piece
  • 13 jambeau
  • 14 solleret

Examples of armor in a Sentence

The officers are required to wear bulletproof body armor. The shots penetrated the tank's armor. The armadillo's armor consists of a series of small, bony plates. a weapon designed for use against enemy armor
Recent Examples on the Web At present, with Ukraine short of weapons and munitions because of the US Congress’ not passing a $60 billion package of aid, the Russians are also making their very substantial advantage in artillery, armor and airpower felt. Tim Lister, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024 The Euphoria star wore a robotic suit of armor that resembled the central android from Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, C3PO from Star Wars, and Beyoncé’s futuristic aesthetic from her 2022 album Renaissance. EW.com, 15 Feb. 2024 With IEDs, the weakness targeted was the thin armor and flat bottom of Humvees. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 Black horse-braid knots ran up and down her arms like the suckers of a cephalopod, or spikes of armor. Leah Dolan, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 Such armor first appeared on German tanks in World War II. Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2024 Lamellar armor is a style of armor that was used by ancient warriors. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2024 Baldwin and the film's armor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting in January 2023. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2024 Sporting bony, chainmail-like armor and razor-sharp claws, these impressive beasts could be found lumbering throughout the prehistoric Americas during the last Ice Age — and not just on the surface, either. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'armor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English armure, armoure "arms, body armor," borrowed from Anglo-French & continental Old French, going back to Latin armātūra "armament, troop" (Medieval Latin, "suit of armor") — more at armature

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of armor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near armor

Cite this Entry

“Armor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

armor

noun
ar·​mor ˈär-mər How to pronounce armor (audio)
1
: a covering (as of metal) to protect the body in battle
2
: a protective covering (as the steel sides of a battleship or the covering of an animal or plant)
3
: armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)

More from Merriam-Webster on armor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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