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

Leaders will use this period to build moats and prepare for the next wave of growth. —Kevan Yalowitz, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Today the building is closed to the public and encircled by a moat, a harbinger of the fort’s inevitable fate. —Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

The United States will always have its natural moats—the Atlantic and the Pacific—to protect the mainland. —S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

Yet a different view suggests OpenAI is much closer to creating a sustainable moat. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025

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