armadillo

noun

ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdi-(ˌ)lō 

plural armadillos

: any of a family (Dasypodidae) of burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern U.S. to Argentina and having the body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates

Illustration of armadillo

Examples of armadillo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers say that the abundance of horses at the site hints at what the landscape looked like around 500,000 years ago, while the assemblage as a whole — with armadillos, sloths, and tapirs as well as horses — reveals the trajectories of evolution throughout the period. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025

Armadillos The armadillo was brought to the state in the 19th century from South America. —Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

Coyotes, hogs, and bobcats will eat them, but for the most part armadillos have it pretty easy. —Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

For land mammals, the giant armadillo is at the top with up to 100 teeth. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative, with -illo, diminutive suffix, of armado, past participle of armar "to arm," going back to Latin armāre — more at arm entry 2

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for armadillo

• billow
• pillow
• caudillo

Kids Definition

armadillo

noun

ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdil-ō 

plural armadillos

: any of several small burrowing mammals of warm parts of the Americas whose head and body are protected by hard bony armor