armor

noun

ar·​mor ˈär-mər 

1

: defensive covering for the body

especially : covering (as of metal) used in combat

2

: a quality or circumstance that affords protection

the armor of prosperity

3

: a protective outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable)

4

: armored forces and vehicles (such as tanks)

armor transitive verb

armorless

ˈär-mər-ləs 

adjective

Illustration of armor

• 1 helmet
• 2 gorget
• 3 shoulder piece
• 4 pallette
• 5 breastplate
• 6 brassard
• 7 elbow piece
• 8 skirt of tasses
• 9 tuille
• 10 gauntlet
• 11 cuisse
• 12 knee piece
• 13 jambeau
• 14 solleret

Synonyms

• aegis
• egis
• ammunition
• buckler
• cover
• defense
• guard
• protection
• safeguard
• screen
• security
• shield
• wall
• ward

Examples of armor in a Sentence

The officers are required to wear bulletproof body armor.

The shots penetrated the tank's armor.

The armadillo's armor consists of a series of small, bony plates.

a weapon designed for use against enemy armor

Recent Examples on the Web

With their distinctive appearance resembling a fusion of ancient armor and modern marvel, rhino rays are a group of 68 species comprising sawfishes (Pristidae), wedgefishes (Rhinidae), giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae), guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae), and banjo rays (Trygonorrhinidae). —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

After being gifted a set of armor, she was sent to Orléans. —Tacita Quinn, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

Impressed by the casting and eager to see the beloved Iron Man actor return to the big screens, kids and adults alike are going all out with full-body armor and bright green capes this Halloween. 6. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024

The four-panel Westeros Map Room floor, a White Walker display figure, the Mountain’s armor, Ned Stark’s hero longsword, scabbard and belt, and a dragon egg presented to Daenerys Targaryen were just a few of the other items in the lot. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English armure, armoure "arms, body armor," borrowed from Anglo-French & continental Old French, going back to Latin armātūra "armament, troop" (Medieval Latin, "suit of armor") — more at armature

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing armor

• anti-armor
• armor-plated
• knight in shining armor
• scale armor

Kids Definition

armor

noun

ar·​mor ˈär-mər 

1

: a covering (as of metal) to protect the body in battle

2

: a protective covering (as the steel sides of a battleship or the covering of an animal or plant)

3

: armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)