armor

noun ar·mor \ ˈär-mər \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: armor in a Sentence

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 concept of a universal basic income, or UBI, has become part of the moral armor of Silicon Valley moguls who want a socially conscious defense against the charge that technology is making humanity obsolete.

— edward glaeser, WSJ, "‘Give People Money’ and ‘The War on Normal People’ Review: The Cure for Poverty?," 9 July 2018
The vests were a special donation from Unequal Technologies after Principal Barbara Rosini requested the ballistic armor.

— Essence.com, "Pennsylvania School Gifts Graduating 8th Graders With Bulletproof School Accessories," 6 June 2018
The Jaguar’s armor protects crews from 14.5-millimeter heavy machine guns, 155-millimeter artillery shrapnel at ranges up to 30 yards, and mine or IED explosions involving up to 20 pounds of TNT.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "France’s New Armored Car Does Not Mess Around," 17 May 2018
Singer Zendaya appeared in a silver gown that resembled the body-armor of Roman Catholic saint and French heroine Joan of Arc.

— amira rasool, Teen Vogue, "Black Women Used the Met Gala 2018 Theme to Call Out Systematic Oppression in the Catholic Church," 8 May 2018
Among the high-ticket items was the death armor worn by Crowe for his Oscar-winning performance in Gladiator, which was sold for $125,000.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Russell Crowe's Used Leather Jock Strap Fetches $7K as 'Divorce Auction' Rakes in $3.7 Million," 7 Apr. 2018
At the very least, Ousterhout wished to enable his patients to open the door to the UPS guy in their sweatpants, without the armor of makeup or careful hair styling, and be perceived as female.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "The Story of a Trans Woman’s Face," 12 Mar. 2018
Without the right armor, those collisions will eventually lead to injury.

— brandon t. harden, Philly.com, "How Lil Uzi Vert is powering a new runner's Broad Street training," 2 Mar. 2018
His line of capes, armor-like minidresses, and elegant gowns provided a protective wardrobe for contemporary young women against the trials of the modern world.

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Picnic at Hanging Rock is Back—This Is How 3 Top Designers Have Interpreted the Cult Film," 25 May 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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