moat

noun

ˈmōt 

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

ˈmō-təd 

adjective

moatlike

ˈmōt-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of moat

• moat 1

Examples of moat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An economic moat refers to a company’s competitive advantage. —Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024

The factory itself is a vast complex of buildings and loading docks that stretches across land bordered by canals that create a sort of moat around it. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

The billion dollar moat has been built so ESPN can meet customers at different price points to access its games. —Andrew Marchand, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024

China has a strategic focus on becoming self-sufficient in semiconductor production, but ASML has built an insurmountable moat in this space. —Gurufocus, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

moat

noun

ˈmōt 

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