exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tən 

1

: an external supportive covering of an animal (such as an arthropod)

2

: bony or horny parts of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues

3

: an artificial external supporting structure

exoskeletal

ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tᵊl 

adjective

Examples of exoskeleton in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan will exhibit two novel exoskeletons. —Borislav "bobby" Marinov, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

This guy has been working on exoskeletons since around 2015. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Nov. 2024

Yes, tourists are tackling the 5,000-foot-tall Mount Tai in Shandong Province using high-tech exoskeletons to make hiking a breeze. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025

Arthropods—whether crabs or cockroaches—developed their own version: joints in their exoskeletons that allow these creatures to bend and scuttle. —Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exoskeleton

• cytoskeleton
• gelatin
• skeleton

Kids Definition

exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn 

: a hard supporting or protective structure (as of an insect, spider, or crustacean) on the outside of the body

Medical Definition

exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn 

1

: an external supportive covering of an animal (as the system of sclerites covering the body of an insect) compare endoskeleton

2

: bony or horny parts (as nails, hooves, or scales) of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues

exoskeletal

-ət-ᵊl 

adjective