Illustration of moat
- moat 1
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.
Examples of moat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The frame was built with 60 tons of steel, and to reach the 4-inch-thick oak front door, weighing 762 pounds, visitors must cross a drawbridge spanning a moat before walking under a portcullis.
—
Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Berkshire Hathaway’s Buffett has famously argued that great business models often have significant barriers to entry, or moats, that prevent competition from coming in and ruining the party.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
The moat of trash in the yard reaches the driveway, encasing a red Toyota Corolla Twin Cam in crumpled tarps, coat hangers, broom handles, coffee cups, more newspaper and more plastic bags.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The moat revealed a trove of artifacts, including pins, clothing, shoe buckles, metal dishes, keys and padlocks.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Dozens of drugs are in development from a range of companies vying for a cut and probing the moat’s depth and defenses.
—Sarah Whitmire, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The economy is in deep decline, the cost of living has spiraled, and public services are collapsing—water deregulation has left Britain swimming in a moat of its own excrement.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
Vigilance — regularly cleaning the moat and changing the water — may help.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
The remodel took place between 1712 and 1722 and included filling in a moat, extending the parklands, the demolition of the former manor house, and the construction of the existing residence.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
Berkshire Hathaway’s Buffett has famously argued that great business models often have significant barriers to entry, or moats, that prevent competition from coming in and ruining the party.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
The moat of trash in the yard reaches the driveway, encasing a red Toyota Corolla Twin Cam in crumpled tarps, coat hangers, broom handles, coffee cups, more newspaper and more plastic bags.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The moat revealed a trove of artifacts, including pins, clothing, shoe buckles, metal dishes, keys and padlocks.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Dozens of drugs are in development from a range of companies vying for a cut and probing the moat’s depth and defenses.
—Sarah Whitmire, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The economy is in deep decline, the cost of living has spiraled, and public services are collapsing—water deregulation has left Britain swimming in a moat of its own excrement.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
Vigilance — regularly cleaning the moat and changing the water — may help.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024
The remodel took place between 1712 and 1722 and included filling in a moat, extending the parklands, the demolition of the former manor house, and the construction of the existing residence.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moat. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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moat
noun
: a deep wide trench around the walls of a castle or fortress that is usually filled with water
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