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

The Charlevoix stone has a smaller exoskeleton compared to its cousin the Petoskey stone. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2025

To compensate, LeMessurier developed a structural bracing system to act like an exoskeleton. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025

Then, when the old exoskeleton is shed, the new one, which is soft, gets inflated using haemolymph [the arthropod equivalent of blood] or whatever. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Multiple standards bodies have looked into classifying and evaluating occupational exoskeletons. —Borislav "bobby" Marinov, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

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