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

Johnson’s carapace is detailed with skin-like textures, swollen bicep veins and living tattoos that offer him encouragement and advice. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Boston Dynamics’s Atlas has a toylike carapace and a glowing, hollow circle for a head. — Stephen Witt, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

And drug literature can be a hard sell for some, especially if the reader feels anxious about their own coolness, and develops a sort of you-won’t-impress-me-so-there carapace in advance as a form of self-protection. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

Gabrielle’s unflinching competence and dynamism belie acute sensitivity, and the actress allows hints of child-like hurt and hesitation to pierce the carapace. — Jon Frosch, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 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
• 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)