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

Don Cheadle's James Rhodes first suited up as War Machine in 2010's Iron Man 2, while Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts received her own armor in Endgame. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025

The studio revealed the first photo from Nolan's adaptation showing Damon dressed in armor and a cape with a coordinating headpiece back on Feb. 17. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

The role-playing influence has players collecting experience points for Kratos to level up, coming up with strategic character builds around abilities and magic, and crafting armor pieces while keeping in mind stats and resistances. —Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025

This decline was primarily due to the completion of an armor contract in April 2024. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for armor

• charmer
• harmer

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)