moss

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯs 

1

chiefly Scotland : bog, swamp

especially : a peat bog

2

a

: any of a class (Musci) of bryophytic plants characterized by a gametophyte having a small leafy often tufted stem bearing sex organs at its tip

also : a clump or sward of these plants

b

: any of various plants resembling moss in appearance or habit of growth

3

: a mossy covering

mosslike

ˈmȯs-ˌlīk 

adjective

moss

2 of 2

verb

mossed; mossing; mosses

transitive verb

: to cover or overgrow with moss

Examples of moss in a Sentence

Noun

Moss covered the fallen logs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even the private dining room, which can expand to 24 seats with a patio on University Avenue, is unique, with a state-of-the-art glass terrarium-style floor over a desertscape of sand, moss, rocks, and other natural elements. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

This durable groundcover brings lovely texture and a refreshing blue-green tone to a landscape with moss-like foliage that is soft to the touch. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2026

Carpets add warmth, softness and more color, from camouflage-esque pieces in cream, lichen and burgundy to Mondrian-style blocks of ochre, mustard and moss. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Expect rivers and creeks surrounded by salt marsh, live oak trees draped with moss (best seen at the Avenue of the Oaks), and knockout beaches sweeping along the Atlantic. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English mos; akin to Old High German mos moss, Latin muscus

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing moss

• club moss
• Iceland moss
• Irish moss
• moss agate
• moss animal
• moss green
• moss-grown
• moss pink
• moss rose
• moss-trooper
• peat moss
• reindeer moss
• Spanish moss
• sphagnum moss

Rhymes for moss

• blas
• bos
• boss
• bosse
• clos
• crosse
• dos
• doss
• dross
• floss
• foss
• fosse

Kids Definition

moss

noun

ˈmȯs

1

: any of a class of plants that have no flowers and produce small leafy stems forming sex organs at their tips and that grow in patches like cushions on rocks, bark, or damp ground

2

: any of various plants (as lichens) resembling mosses compare reindeer moss

mosslike

-ˌlīk

adjective

mossy

ˈmȯ-sē

adjective

Medical Definition

moss

noun

ˈmȯs 

1

: any of a division (Bryophyta) of plants having a small leafy often tufted stem bearing sex organs at its tip see sphagnum

2

: any of various plants resembling mosses in appearance or habit of growth see club moss, iceland moss, irish moss