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

Examples of carapace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Specifically, carapaces spelling out 8647, which is either shell-speak for evil intent or a bartender telling Patel to 86 his personal booze and buy a drink already. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026

The carapace of a spiny lobster (the part that is not the tail) must be greater than three inches long to be legal size. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

There were two carapaces, and one of them had little stones that would just sort of dance on the top of his head — because truly, those were the only moving parts. —Emma Forgione, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026

Time draws these kids osmotically through a membrane, turning them into things like us, adults captured by the brittle carapaces of our egos. —Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Spanish carapacho

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carapace

• enterococci
• staphylococci
• gonococci
• mariachi
• streptococci

Kids Definition

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)