body armour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

A bulletproof vest is a common type of body armour, but 'body armour' is a broader term that can include protection for limbs, groin, and neck, and may protect against stabs, shrapnel, or blunt force, not just bullets.

Yes. It is often used to describe psychological resilience or emotional defences, e.g., 'After years of criticism, he developed a thick skin like emotional body armour.'

British English spells it 'body armour' (with a 'u'), while American English spells it 'body armor' (without the 'u').

It is usually treated as an uncountable noun. It's more natural to say 'a piece of body armour', 'a vest', or 'a set of body armour'. Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'He bought a new body armour') is becoming more common but is still less standard.

Protective clothing, typically a vest or suit, worn to absorb or deflect physical attacks from weapons such as bullets, knives, or shrapnel.

Body armour is usually formal, technical, military, law enforcement in register.

Body armour: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌɑːmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌɑːrmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.