armor

noun

ar·​mor ˈär-mər 

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

ˈär-mər-ləs 

adjective

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

Synonyms of armor

• ammunition
• defense
• shield
• protection
• weapon
• safeguard
• wall

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

Agents also recovered two helmets and body armor, according to the DOJ. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026

There are few obvious cracks in the armor of a top-three Patriots offensive unit, heading into Sunday’s AFC championship in Denver. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026

Solawave Neck & Chest Pro Light Therapy Mask I’ve personally seen big results with the brand’s Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask, which has since been upgraded, and the 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand, so this piece of armor seems like a no-brainer. —Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

This multi-mode missile offers enhanced performance against moving and stationary armor, air defense units, patrol craft, artillery, transporter erector/launchers, radar sites and C2 nodes, in addition to bunkers and other structures in urban and complex terrain. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026

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

Phrases Containing armor

• anti-armor
• armor-plated
• knight in shining armor
• scale armor

Rhymes for armor

• charmer
• harmer

Kids Definition

armor

noun

ar·​mor ˈär-mər 

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)