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

Well-intentioned but unaware of what’s been revealed, Maximus frees Lucy’s dad, who then repays the Brotherhood soldier by knocking him out and fleeing the scene with his armor. —Kayla Keegan, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

This car—which appears in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League—feels like a cheap rip-off with its garish armor and exposed machine guns. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024

The New York City Council approved several bills Thursday that would allow for enhanced safety measures for EMS workers, including body armor and self-defense training. —Haley Chi-Sing, Fox News, 13 Apr. 2024

At a retrospective of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in London, where the American expatriate fled after creating a scandal in Paris, clothes offer both armor and self-expression. —Zachary Small, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024

The standard edition of Destiny 2 will include the new story campaign, three new Supers, a new destination, new weapons and armor to collect and the first Episode in the year of The Final Shape. —The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

The cables are constructed with sturdy materials, including steel armor, to withstand harsh ocean conditions and accidental impacts. —Robin Chataut, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2024

That man was wearing body armor and carrying an AR-15 rifle. —Will Carless, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

The team said a more accurate date will be established after restoration of the armor. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 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)