moss

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯs 

1

chiefly Scotland : bog, swamp

especially : a peat bog

2

a

: any of a division (Bryophyta) of 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

The still-pristine white marble stone stood out compared to the neighboring grave, holding Bailey’s sister Eliza, covered in grime and moss collected over the decades. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Our editors recommend introducing it to earthier counterparts like moss, mustard, and chocolate brown, so as to infuse even more visual richness into your ensembles du jour. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Bogs tend to keep their secrets low to the ground, where colors shift by inches and boundaries blur in gradients of tiny mounds of moss and sedges emerging from pools. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Others include California Coast with a sea salt, linen and moss fragrance and Life & Lemons with an aroma of citrus, musk and green tea. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 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