Synonyms of armor
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

Illustration of armor

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clothing has always been my armor. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 As the sun sets on a vast farm field, soldiers in full body armor pull over on a dirt road and unload what looks like a miniature jet from a truck. Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 27 June 2026 In it, a preteen discovers a suit of armor made out of boxes and embarks on a quest through massive cardboard castles on a theater stage. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026 Neusch was acutely aware of nerve-equivalent impulses reporting the beam penetrating the light armor, searing the bio-andy’s hip and thigh. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for armor

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of armor was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

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)

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