Exoskeleton

noun

noun ·5 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A hard outer structure that provides both structure and protection to creatures such as insects and Crustacea.

    "This is the case not only with all forms provided with exoskeleta and endoskeleta, into the composition of which lime largely enters, but also with those which exercise the precipitating effect on the calcium salts they absorb from sea water, the precipitation rarely going so far as to form a distinct deposit in the cells or tissues of the organism."

  2. 2
    the exterior protective or supporting structure or shell of many animals (especially invertebrates) including bony or horny parts such as nails or scales or hoofs wordnet
  3. 3
    A wearable robotic machine used for aided or augmented mobility.

Synonyms

All synonyms
anatomybonescarcassframeskeleton

Example

More examples

"Like arthropods today, trilobites molted as they grew, shedding their old exoskeleton. These molts could fossilize, so one animal could leave several different sized fossils behind."

Etymology

From exo- + skeleton.

More for "exoskeleton"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.