exoskeleton

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

|Updated on: 12 Aug 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

After the water receded, the remnant exoskeletons turned into land that is packed with calcium.

— angela fritz, Washington Post, "The prehistoric shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico is so fertile you can see it from space," 12 July 2018
Broken, inverted umbrellas littered the sidewalks, their silver structures exposed and collapsed — exoskeletons, all of them.

— liz arnold, Longreads, "Making Peace with the Site of a Suicide," 11 July 2018
The technologies currently being developed include body suit-type exoskeletons, strength and power-increasing systems and additional protection.

— kris osborn, Fox News, "Army prototypes new self-powering 'Iron Man' soldier suits," 6 June 2018
Apparently, the roaches preferred to run full speed knowing their exoskeleton could take the hit.

— douglas quenqua, New York Times, "How Cockroaches Crash Into Walls and Keep Going," 13 Feb. 2018
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

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

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exoskeleton

Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

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First Known Use of exoskeleton

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exoskeleton

medical Definition of exoskeleton

exoskeletal

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exoskeleton

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exoskeletal

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exoskeleton

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exoskeletal

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