armor

American  

[ahr-mer] / ˈɑr mər /

especially British, armour

noun

1. any covering worn as a defense against weapons.

2. a suit of armor.

3. a metallic sheathing or protective covering, especially metal plates, used on warships, armored vehicles, airplanes, and fortifications.

4. mechanized units of military forces, as armored divisions.

5. Also called armament.  any protective covering, as on certain animals, insects, or plants.

6. any quality, characteristic, situation, or thing that serves as protection.

   A chilling courtesy was his only armor.

7. the outer, protective wrapping of metal, usually fine, braided steel wires, on a cable.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover or equip with armor or armor plate.

armor British  

/ ˈɑːmə /

noun

1. the US spelling of armour

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armor Idioms  

1. see chink in one's armor; knight in shining armor.

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Other Word Forms

• antiarmor
  adjective
• armorless
  adjective
• subarmor
  noun

Etymology

Origin of armor

1250–1300; Middle English armo ( u ) r, armure < Anglo-French armour ( e ), armure Old French armëure < Latin armātūra armature; assimilated, in Middle English and Anglo-French, to nouns ending in -our -or ²

Explanation

The metal suit worn by knights as protection in battle is called armor. You can still see suits of armor in many museums today. These days, soldiers still use armor to protect them from bullets and other weapons, though it's not usually made of metal. Modern armor, like bullet-proof vests, is made of extremely strong, dense fabric, while 13th century armor was typically made of steel. In the 14th century, the word itself meant "defensive covering worn in combat" and "means of protection," from the Old French armeure, "weapons or armor," with its Latin root, arma, "arms or gear."

Example Sentences

It also mattered that, before the conflict, both energy and defense stocks had a “pretty good run” since the start of the year, said Luke Rahbari, a portfolio manager with Equity Armor Investments.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

“Nvidia and Bitcoin are the market’s two biggest high-beta, risk-on trades, attracting the same pools of speculative capital,” said Joe Tigay, portfolio manager at Equity Armor Investments.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

Armor that ran down its back resembled armor from one species, while its midsection spikes resembled armor from another.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

The Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum will reopen at Paine Field in Everett on May 27, after a change of ownership and three years of closure triggered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2023

Armor and equipment proved heavy in the midday sun.

From "Beowulf: A New Telling" by Robert Nye

Related Words

• bulletproof vest
• shield