exoskeleton
Americannoun
noun
-
A hard, protective outer body covering of an animal, such as an insect, crustacean, or mollusk. The exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans are largely made of chitin.
-
Compare endoskeleton
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exoskeleton
Compare meaning
How does exoskeleton compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Vocabulary lists containing exoskeleton
Animals (Zoology) - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Animals (Zoology) - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Biology-Structure and Function - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The exoskeleton made me feel like I had infinite endurance so I kept going, and my other muscles paid the price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
Going uphill, with the torque notched up, I really felt the exoskeleton at work.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
The animal measured just over 8 centimeters long and preserved a dorsal exoskeleton made up of a head shield and nine body segments.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 3, 2026
“A legged battlefield robot or an exoskeleton suit relies on the same core technologies as a commercial humanoid, ruggedized for combat.”
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 14, 2026
“A mouse genetically modified with a hard exoskeleton that it can shed and leave anywhere!”
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
