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.
An early example of Wiley incorporating armor in his work was his 2009 portrait of Michael Jackson. Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 Burtka opted for the likeness of Poseidon the god of the sea, carrying a trident and wearing shelled armor. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Heidi Klum as an alien transformer in 2010 Klum went as an alien transformer in 2010, embracing a glittery purple visage, wearing bright red armor, and walking on stilts. Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024 The Amazonian image of Joan of Arc in armor is perhaps the most recurrent one in popular culture, inspiring thousands, if not hundreds and thousands, of similar depictions. Tacita Quinn, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near armor

Cite this Entry

“Armor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armor. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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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