Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

goat moth

noun

Definition of goat moth

: any of the large stout-bodied moths of the family Cossidae especially : a European moth (Cossus cossus) whose larva bores in the wood of living trees

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for goat moth

so called from the fact that its larva exhales an odor suggestive of a he-goat

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about goat moth

Dictionary Entries near goat moth

go at it

goat-kneed

goatling

goat moth

goat nut

goat pepper

goat-pox

Statistics for goat moth

Look-up Popularity

Comments on goat moth

What made you want to look up goat moth? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

imbroglio

a complex dispute or argument

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games