armadillo

noun

ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdi-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce armadillo (audio)
plural armadillos
: any of a family (Dasypodidae) of burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern U.S. to Argentina and having the body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates

Illustration of armadillo

Illustration of armadillo

Examples of armadillo in a Sentence

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.
The general public is advised to avoid close contact with armadillos, including handling, skinning or eating. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The free, family-friendly event featured a cowboy celebration parade, armadillo races, cow milking, live music and more. — Abigail Dollins, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026 In parts of southern Illinois, black vultures are something of a fascination among locals, like the armadillos who arrived before them. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 Dome-shaped, like a furry armadillo, and ranging from the size of a large cat to a small border collie, raccoons sport a mask of black fur around their eyes surrounded by a halo of white, set above long thick whiskers. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for armadillo

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, noun derivative, with -illo, diminutive suffix, of armado, past participle of armar "to arm," going back to Latin armāre — more at arm entry 2

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of armadillo was in 1577

Rhymes for armadillo

See All Rhymes for armadillo

Browse Nearby Words

Armadillidium
armadillo
armado
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Armadillo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armadillo. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

armadillo

noun
ar·​ma·​dil·​lo ˌär-mə-ˈdil-ō How to pronounce armadillo (audio)
plural armadillos
: any of several small burrowing mammals of warm parts of the Americas whose head and body are protected by hard bony armor

More from Merriam-Webster on armadillo

Nglish: Translation of armadillo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about armadillo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All