Meaning & use
exoskeleton
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Meanings
nouncountablebiologytechnical
A hard outer covering that supports and protects the body of animals such as insects, crabs, and spiders.
Grammar: Countable: an exoskeleton, the exoskeleton of a crab, exoskeletons. Often used with 'of' to show the animal.
Patterns
- the exoskeleton of an insect
- a hard exoskeleton
- an exoskeleton protects something
The crab's exoskeleton is hard and must be shed as it grows.
Insects have an exoskeleton that protects their soft inner body.
Scientists study the exoskeleton of beetles to design new materials.
nouncountabletechnical
A stiff outer frame worn on the body to help a person move or lift heavy things.
Grammar: Countable: a robotic exoskeleton, exoskeletons for workers. Common in technology and medical news.
Patterns
- a robotic exoskeleton
- wear an exoskeleton
- an exoskeleton helps someone lift
Factory workers wear a robotic exoskeleton to lift heavy boxes safely.
The new exoskeleton helps people with leg injuries walk again.
Engineers are testing an exoskeleton that supports the back during long shifts.
Word forms
| plural | exoskeletons |
|---|
Common combinations
- hard exoskeleton
- The beetle has a hard exoskeleton that protects it from predators.
- shed an exoskeleton
- Crabs shed their exoskeleton several times as they grow.
- robotic exoskeleton
- The hospital uses a robotic exoskeleton to help patients walk.
- exoskeleton of an insect
- The exoskeleton of an insect is made of a substance called chitin.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shell
- Everyday word for the hard outer case of an animal; it is less technical and does not always suggest support for the whole body.
- carapace
- A hard upper shell of some animals like crabs and turtles; it is more specific than exoskeleton.
Opposites
Word family
- exoskeletal adjective
- Relating to an exoskeleton.
Commonly confused: exoskeleton or endoskeleton?
exoskeleton vs endoskeleton
An endoskeleton is an internal skeleton, like the bones inside humans; an exoskeleton is on the outside.
Practice
Unlike humans, insects have a hard ______ on the outside of their bodies.
Choose one answer.
An exoskeleton is the outer covering of insects. An endoskeleton is inside the body, 'skeleton' alone is general, and 'exoskeletal' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exoskeleton”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.