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

Contact with armadillos should be kept to a minimum. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 15 July 2024

Similar to the armadillos of their namesake, these interlocking pieces fit together in an accordion-like pattern along the their torsos. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2024

The four armadillo species identified by researchers include: The Mexican long-nosed armadillo, or Dasypus mexicanus, found in Mexico, the U.S. and Costa Rica. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024

Critters ranging from an armadillo to a rattlesnake are expected to predict the weather this February. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 2 Feb. 2024

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

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