# armor

/ˈɑɹmɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/armor
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. protective clothing

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

special clothing, often made of metal, that soldiers wore in the past to protect their bodies in battle.

For teachers: protective covering for the body, historically made of metal plates or chainmail, worn to prevent injury during combat.

- The museum has a famous collection of steel armor worn by knights in the Middle Ages.
- The knight's armor was so heavy that he required assistance from his squire just to mount his horse before the tournament began.

### 2. vehicle protection

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

strong metal plates used to protect tanks, ships, or planes from explosions and bullets.

For teachers: reinforced plating applied to military vehicles, naval vessels, or aircraft to diffuse the force of projectiles or explosives.

- The tank's thick armor protected the crew from the blast.
- Modern military engineers are developing composite armor that provides superior protection against anti-tank missiles while remaining relatively lightweight.

### 3. military units

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

a group of tanks and other heavy vehicles in an army.

For teachers: a military branch or formation consisting primarily of tanks and other armored fighting vehicles.

- The general ordered the armor to move forward across the open field.
- The division's armor was deployed to the border as a deterrent, signaling a significant escalation in the regional conflict.

### 4. natural protection

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the hard natural shell or skin on some animals, like turtles or armadillos.

For teachers: a tough, protective outer layer or shell occurring naturally on certain animals or plants.

- An armadillo has a tough layer of armor to protect it from predators.
- The evolutionary development of bony armor in certain fish species provided a significant survival advantage against larger aquatic predators.

### 5. to equip with protection

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Formal

to cover something with a protective layer to keep it safe.

For teachers: to equip a person, vehicle, or object with protective plating or a hardened coating.

- The company decided to armor their delivery trucks after several robberies.
- Engineers were tasked to armor the cockpit of the transport plane without exceeding the maximum takeoff weight.

## Examples

- The knight wore heavy metal armor into the battle.
- Modern soldiers wear body armor made of lightweight materials to protect them from bullets.
- The museum's collection features several suits of ceremonial armor that were designed more for visual prestige than for actual protection on the battlefield.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.