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.
There are cats with monkey tails, and camels that roll up in a ball like armadillos! — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 The interactive venue allows visitors to pet and feed capybaras and view other exotic species, including ferrets, fennec foxes, and armadillos, with encounter prices starting at $59 per person. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 According to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, armadillos aren't aggressive toward people or other wildlife but may bite or scratch if handled. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2026 Tegus, said Braddy, may be like armadillos — an invasive species that just won't go away. — Mark Davis, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 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

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Browse Nearby Words

Armadillidium
armadillo
armado
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Cite this Entry

“Armadillo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armadillo. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about armadillo

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