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

Allow the solution to work for at least 15 minutes (30 for heavy buildup) to break down the structure of the moss and algae. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 16 May 2026

The moody primary, with its vibrant pop of citron from Eny Lee Parker’s Petal rug, features a double-arched walnut headboard with a wine-and-moss botanical tapestry inset. —Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026

The moss will be the substrate that the emerging roots grow into. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 7 May 2026

Most gardens naturally have crevices that many plants will gladly make home like; Sedum, succulents, various grasses (like Emerald' zoysia grass here), creeping thyme, Rupturwort, New Zealand Brass Buttons, and various mosses. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 May 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