: any of various usually very large extinct flightless birds of New Zealand of a ratite order (Dinornithiformes) including two (Dinornis robustus and D. novaezelandiae of the family Dinornithidae) nearly 12 feet (3.7 meters) in height

Examples of moa in a Sentence

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The filmmaker is also a Colossal investor and inspiration for the company's project to de-extinct the giant moa, a long extinct bird species. Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026 In the past, Colossal has also revealed plans to revive other species of extinct animals like the Tasmanian tiger, New Zealand’s giant moa, and woolly mammoths. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025 Similar efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, the thylacine — better known as the Tasmanian tiger — and another flightless bird, the moa, are also underway. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025 Colossal's de-extinction projects now span dodos, dire wolves, mammoths, and moas. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moa

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moa was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Moa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moa. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

moa

noun
: any of various usually very large extinct birds of New Zealand that were not able to fly

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