carapace
noun
car·a·pace
ˈker-ə-ˌpās 
ˈka-rə-
1
: a bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of the back of an animal (such as a turtle or crab)
2
: a protective, decorative, or disguising shell
the carapace of reserve he built around himself—
M. M. Mintz
M. M. MintzExamples of carapace in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
The carapace, or hard exterior, is smooth and without small hairs, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2025
The new genus’ males have these arms, known as palps, that are 2.23-3.85 times longer than their carapace, most likely an adaptation to avoid female cannibalism during mating.
—New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025
Separated into two segments, including a broad carapace at the front of its body and a segmented trunk and tail at the back, the fossil species was traditionally thought to be an ancestor of the horseshoe crab today.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for carapace
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Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
The carapace, or hard exterior, is smooth and without small hairs, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2025
The new genus’ males have these arms, known as palps, that are 2.23-3.85 times longer than their carapace, most likely an adaptation to avoid female cannibalism during mating.
—New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025
Separated into two segments, including a broad carapace at the front of its body and a segmented trunk and tail at the back, the fossil species was traditionally thought to be an ancestor of the horseshoe crab today.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for carapace
Cite this Entry
“Carapace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carapace. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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carapace
noun
car·a·pace
ˈkar-ə-ˌpās
: a bony or horny case or shield covering all or part of the back of an animal (as a turtle)
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