moat

noun

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 adjective
moatlike adjective

Illustration of moat

Illustration of moat
  • moat 1

Examples of moat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An economic moat refers to a company’s competitive advantage. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2024 The factory itself is a vast complex of buildings and loading docks that stretches across land bordered by canals that create a sort of moat around it. Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024 The billion dollar moat has been built so ESPN can meet customers at different price points to access its games. Andrew Marchand, The Athletic, 5 Aug. 2024 China has a strategic focus on becoming self-sufficient in semiconductor production, but ASML has built an insurmountable moat in this space. Gurufocus, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moat 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of moat was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near moat

Cite this Entry

“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moat. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

moat

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

More from Merriam-Webster on moat

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