The Defence fighting style reads:
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC
Is a shield considered armor for this purpose?
[RPG] Is an equipped shield considered “wearing armor” for gaining benefit from the Defence fighting style
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Best Answer
No
In the Monk Unarmored Defense section it is specified that
and in the Barbarian Unarmored Defense
Which indicates armour and shields are considered separate.
Ultimately, due to some very unclear descriptions of armor and shields the most definitive verdict is from Jeremy Crawford, who tweeted:
Which I think is a strong confirmation that unless specifically called out, shields do not count as armor in game terms, and were referred to as armor in a more plain English sense, mistakenly.