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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The character was previously portrayed in Rise of the Silver Surfer as a big, amorphous cloud in space, but Ineson will portray the space god as he's depicted in the comics: a massive being in purple-and-blue armor. EW.com, 23 July 2025 The only chink in his armor was Mickey Moniak’s two-out solo homer in the third. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 July 2025 Checking to see how strong that armor really is under these and other circumstances is a priority to individuals, educators and employers. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 July 2025 Iron Man’s impenetrable armor shielded a weak heart. Ekow Eshun july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for armor

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armor. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

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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