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

The result was a complex of squat, one- or two-level buildings with metal and glass siding, surrounded by a moat of parking spaces, with Google signs plunked into the dirt out front. — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026

Many major capacity decisions in recent years have been visible governance events answering a specific pressure moat erosion signal. — Kerry Huang, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

While competitors such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Sartorius are investing heavily to gain share, Danaher's position is protected by one of the strongest moats in healthcare tools. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Located on Lake Geneva and surrounded by a natural moat, the Swiss castle fits its island’s oval shape. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

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

Rhymes for moat

• bloat
• boat
• choate
• coat
• cote
• dote
• float
• gloat
• goat
• groat
• haute
• mote

Kids Definition

moat

noun

ˈmōt 

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