armor
Also spelled armour (UK spelling)
Armor (noun) means a protective covering, worn or fitted, that shields a body, vehicle, or object from damage. Example: “The knight's armor clanged as he climbed onto his horse.”
How to use armor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hard protective covering — for a soldier's body, a vehicle, or anything you want to shield from damage.
This is the American spelling; British English uses "armour".
Word forms
armored past tense, armors plural, Armors plural, armors singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight's _____ clanged as he climbed onto his horse.
Etymology
From Old French armeure, going back to Latin armatura ("equipment, armor"), from arma ("weapons, tools").
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “armor” mean?
The word “armor” means a protective covering, worn or fitted, that shields a body, vehicle, or object from damage. In plain terms, a hard protective covering — for a soldier's body, a vehicle, or anything you want to shield from damage.
How do you pronounce “armor”?
“Armor” is pronounced AH-muh (/ˈɑːɹ.mɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “armor” in a sentence?
Here is “armor” used in a sentence: “The knight's armor clanged as he climbed onto his horse.”
What is another word for “armor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “armor” include mechanized and cavalry.
What part of speech is “armor”?
Depending on how it is used, “armor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “armor” come from?
The word “armor” comes from Latin. From Old French armeure, going back to Latin armatura ("equipment, armor"), from arma ("weapons, tools").
Is “armor” a common word?
“Armor” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “armor” have?
“Armor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a protective covering, worn or fitted, that shields a body, vehicle, or object from damage.
What is the difference between "armor" and "armour"?
They are the same word spelled differently. "Armor" is the American English spelling, while "armour" is used in British and other Commonwealth English. The choice depends on which regional standard you are writing in.
What is the difference between "armor" and "armament"?
"Armor" is protective covering that shields a body, vehicle, or object from harm. "Armament" refers to the weapons and military equipment used to attack. In short, armor is for defence, while armament is for offence.
What is the difference between "armor" and "amour"?
Despite looking similar, these are unrelated words. "Armor" is protective covering, while "amour" is a French-derived word meaning a love affair. Take care with the spellings, as the two have completely different meanings.
What is the difference between "armor" and a "shield"?
"Armor" is protective covering worn on or fitted to a body or object, such as a suit of armor or a tank's plating. A "shield" is a single piece of protective equipment held in the hand or arm to block blows. Armor covers you all over, while a shield is carried and aimed at a threat.