exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tən 

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

ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of exoskeleton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These fungal tubes are made of rigid cells that contain chitin, the same compound found in insect exoskeletons. —Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026

Its body is just over three-inches-long and has an exoskeleton made up of one head shield on top and nine separate body segments. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026

These white threads are cloaked in sheaths of chitin — the same sugar polymer that forms the tough exoskeletons of beetles, crabs, and lobsters — and can be easily grown in flasks and Petri dishes. —Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

In summary, engineering analyses and field reports show that exoskeletons can deliver substantial load reductions (often 30–50% in target muscles) and improve endurance. —Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exoskeleton

• cytoskeleton
• gelatin
• skeleton

Kids Definition

exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn 

: a hard supporting or protective structure (as of an insect, spider, or crustacean) on the outside of the body

Medical Definition

exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn 

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

-ət-ᵊl 

adjective