exoskeleton

noun exo·skel·e·ton \ ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tən \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of exoskeleton

1 : an external supportive covering of an animal (such as an arthropod)

2 : bony or horny parts of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues

3 : an artificial external supporting structure

—

exoskeletal

play \ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tᵊl\ adjective

See exoskeleton defined for kids

Recent Examples of exoskeleton from the Web

Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton.

— OregonLive.com, "How to clear soil choked with old roots: Ask an expert," 6 June 2018
There, they are separated by size, and the mature ones are then steamed, their oil extracted, and their bodies (including exoskeleton) turned into a powder resembling beach sand.

— vivienne walt, Fortune, "How Insects Might Help Solve the Looming Global Food Crisis," 25 Mar. 2018
No car, drone, or exoskeleton can come close to these abilities.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Math Explains Why Robots Can't Compete With Ants," 27 Apr. 2018
These exoskeletons in the real world are being used to help people move heavy objects and things like this, but they’re being used to develop high-performing appendages for amputees and disabled people.

— karen turner, Vox, "Avengers: Infinity War’s superheroes, explained by an evolutionary biologist," 27 Apr. 2018
There are the bandage dresses that fit around the body like sculpted exoskeletons.

— luke leitch, Vogue, "Take a First Look at London’s Azzedine Alaïa Exhibition, “The Couturier”," 9 May 2018
The build-it-yourself Nintendo Labo cardboard kits, with accompanying software, will let users transform the Switch into a miniature piano, motorcycle handlebars, robot exoskeleton and other objects.

— hideki sagiike, The Seattle Times, "Nintendo hopes to build on Switch console’s appeal with cardboard attachments," 22 Apr. 2018
The exoskeleton on its own takes it a step further.

— meghan dunn, CNN, "Bionic woman skis, bikes and helps others thrive after paralysis," 12 Apr. 2018
The exoskeleton of crabs contains chitin, one of the most abundant biodegradable materials in the world.

— laine welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Seafood industry seeks new value in fish parts," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exoskeleton.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of exoskeleton

1847

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

exoskeleton

noun exo·skel·e·ton \ ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn \

medical Definition of exoskeleton

1 : an external supportive covering of an animal (as the system of sclerites covering the body of an insect) — compare endoskeleton

2 : bony or horny parts (as nails, hooves, or scales) of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues

—

exoskeletal

play \-ət-ᵊl\ adjective

Learn More about exoskeleton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exoskeleton

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exoskeleton

Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

Recent Examples of exoskeleton from the Web

First Known Use of exoskeleton

Medical Dictionary

exoskeleton

medical Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

Learn More about exoskeleton

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exoskeleton

Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

Recent Examples of exoskeleton from the Web

First Known Use of exoskeleton

Medical Dictionary

exoskeleton

medical Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

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