exoskeleton

noun

exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce exoskeleton (audio)
Synonyms of exoskeletonnext
1
: an external supportive covering of an animal (such as an arthropod)
2
: bony or horny parts of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues
3
: an artificial external supporting structure
exoskeletal
ˌek-sō-ˈske-lə-tᵊl How to pronounce exoskeleton (audio)
adjective

Examples of exoskeleton 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.
And the Army isn’t the only branch exploring exoskeletons: Later in 2022, the Air Force announced that the service was testing its own pneumatically powered exosuit developed by ROAM Robotics to help aerial porters load up cargo aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster III. — Jared Keller, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024 This incredible piece of tech solves a major problem that other exoskeletons face. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Nov. 2024 The Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan will exhibit two novel exoskeletons. — Borislav "bobby" Marinov, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 This guy has been working on exoskeletons since around 2015. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for exoskeleton

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exoskeleton was in 1847

Rhymes for exoskeleton

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Browse Nearby Words

exoscopic
exoskeleton
exosphere
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exoskeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exoskeleton. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

exoskeleton

noun
exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce exoskeleton (audio)
: a hard supporting or protective structure (as of an insect, spider, or crustacean) on the outside of the body

Medical Definition

exoskeleton

noun
exo·​skel·​e·​ton ˌek-sō-ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce exoskeleton (audio)
1
: an external supportive covering of an animal (as the system of sclerites covering the body of an insect) compare endoskeleton
2
: bony or horny parts (as nails, hooves, or scales) of a vertebrate produced from epidermal tissues
exoskeletal
-ət-ᵊl How to pronounce exoskeleton (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on exoskeleton

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exoskeleton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about exoskeleton

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