armor

noun ar·mor \ ˈär-mər \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of armor

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)

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armor

transitive verb

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armorless

play \-mər-ləs\ adjective

See armor defined for English-language learners

See armor defined for kids

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 of armor from the Web

The bill seeks to implement a red flag policy as well as ban bump stocks, armor-piercing ammunition and the purchase of guns by people convicted of domestic violence.

— michael livingston, latimes.com, "Vermont OKs gun controls, while Louisiana scuttles bid to raise age for buying assault weapons," 12 Apr. 2018
The provision is not actually a new law, but rather an amendment to an existing one that prohibited the use or possession of body armor in school zones and firearm-free zones.

— aj willingham, CNN, "Louisiana is close to lifting its ban on bulletproof backpacks in schools," 10 Apr. 2018
At least one of them will be correct, in terms of plot armor: Morgan, as the person who is bridging the gap between the two sides of the Walking Dead TV franchise, is safe for the time being.

— josh wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Fear the Walking Dead': Where Everyone Left Off and What's Next (After the Big Crossover)," 8 Apr. 2018
For doors, that means bullet-resistant glass and armor plating.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "How U.S. Special Forces Get Their Armored Pickups," 5 Apr. 2018
State law prohibits possession of body armor by someone who hasn’t been issued a state firearm owner’s identification card.

— william lee, chicagotribune.com, "NYPD: SWAT gear found at Chicago's Union Station stolen from squad car," 27 Mar. 2018
Besides taking a star turn in buildings and vehicles, the substance could even be used to make bullet-resistant armor plates.

— sid perkins, Scientific American, "Stronger Than Steel, Able to Stop a Speeding Bullet—It’s Super Wood!," 7 Feb. 2018
After Malailua was located at a ticket counter, he was discovered carrying a loaded 9mm Taurus-brand handgun and was wearing body armor.

— william lee, chicagotribune.com, "NYPD: SWAT gear found at Chicago's Union Station stolen from squad car," 27 Mar. 2018
Now the markets are starting to see some chips in the armor.

— Fortune, "Tech Stocks Tumble Again in Sudden Wave of Afternoon Selling," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'armor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of armor

Origin and Etymology of armor

Middle English armure, from Anglo-French, from Latin armatura — more at armature

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First Known Use: 14th century

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armor Synonyms

Synonyms

capsule, case, casing, cocoon, cover, covering, encasement, housing, hull, husk, jacket, pod, sheath, shell;

Related Words

cartridge, cassette (also casette);

bark, crust;

carapace, house, mail, panoply, plate, plating, shield;

cuticle, hide, skin;

envelope, package, wrapper;

backing, coating, coverture, facing;

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

ARMOR Defined for English Language Learners

armor

noun

Definition of armor for English Language Learners

: special clothing that people wear to protect their bodies from weapons
: a hard covering that protects something (such as a vehicle or an animal)
: soldiers and vehicles (such as tanks) that are protected with armor

ARMOR Defined for Kids

armor

noun ar·mor \ ˈär-mər \

Definition of armor for Students

1 : a covering (as of metal) to protect the body in battle

2 : a hard covering that provides protection

A turtle's shell is its armor.

3 : armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)

Learn More about armor

See words that rhyme with armor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for armor Spanish Central: Translation of armor Nglish: Translation of armor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of armor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about armor

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armor

Definition of armor

armor

armorless

Examples of armor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of armor from the Web

Illustration of armor

Origin and Etymology of armor

armor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Military Terms

Phrases Related to ARMOR

Related Phrases

ARMOR Defined for English Language Learners

armor

Definition of armor for English Language Learners

ARMOR Defined for Kids

armor

Definition of armor for Students

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