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

That practice is profitable, but requires the skin of an armadillo. —Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2025

The store is out of Santa suits, so Ross rents an armadillo outfit instead. —Bob Sassone, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

Here’s how to manage armadillos Groundhogs Groundhogs prefer to live near pastures, along the edges of woods, or under sheds or structures. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024

Its savvy advertising often featured armadillos, and in Austin the brand is still associated with the Armadillo World Headquarters and the concert posters from that era. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

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

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