exoskeleton

/ˌɛksoʊˈskɛlətən/
noun
  1. A hard external covering that supports and protects the body of an animal, such as an insect, spider, or crustacean.
    • A grasshopper sheds its exoskeleton as it grows.
    • Some beetles have a shiny exoskeleton that helps them blend into their environment.
    • The exoskeleton of a lobster is made of a tough material called chitin.
  2. A rigid external framework that supports or protects something, such as a building or a robotic suit.
    • The tent uses a lightweight exoskeleton to hold its shape in the wind.
    • Engineers designed a robotic exoskeleton to help people with walking disabilities.
    • The building's exoskeleton of steel beams gives it extra strength.
Antonyms