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

The company produces body armor and tactical equipment for police agencies, military and first responders. Safariland, which in 2017 acquired Pacific Safety Products' GH Armor Systems, gave notice of the impending layoffs Wednesday to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. —Sandy Mazza, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The Ann Demeulemeester Black Livia Collar is a soft armor, supple and tough as the shearling and lambskin that forms it. —Goth Shakira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

The images show Harold leading an army as well as clad in a full suit of armor in the middle of the battlefield. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

The type of armor was worn by knights and military men, created by sewing iron rings to fabric or leather, according to Britannica. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 4 Dec. 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)