moat

noun

1
: a deep and wide trench around the rampart of a fortified place (such as a castle) that is usually filled with water
The moat can be crossed by a drawbridge.
2
: a channel resembling a moat (as about a seamount or for confinement of animals in a zoo)
A Bengal tiger stared at me from across the moat.
moated adjective
moatlike adjective

Illustration of moat

Illustration of moat
  • moat 1

Examples of moat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finally, the water in the moat may have been used to elevate stones. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Aug. 2024 Plus, Nvidia is wisely building out its software ecosystem to widen its competitive moat. Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 These powerful forecasting tools become a large part of their moat because the capital expenditure is not feasible for smaller-scale operators. Matt Hutchinson, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024 Holt’s design included a pond for migrating birds, sculptural landscaping aligned to the solstices, star-viewing mounds, a sphere encircled by a moat that would reflect the moon, methane flares around the site that transformed landfill’s off-gassing into a design element, and wind turbines. Kirsten Swenson, ARTnews.com, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moat 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mote, from Anglo-French mote, motte mound, moat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moat was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near moat

Cite this Entry

“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moat. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

moat

noun
: a deep wide trench around the walls of a castle or fortress that is usually filled with water

More from Merriam-Webster on moat

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