moat

noun

Synonyms of moatnext
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.
Impact on China services, capital expenditure volatility, lack of a real moat like ASML. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Klein added European businesses could use AI to build wider moats, urging business leaders to take risks and the European Union to deregulate to unlock greater capital and talent. Tasmin Lockwood,hugh Leask, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026 Joe Hrycych / Getty Images The Vancouver Canucks have lost eight consecutive games and are building a protective moat around their bid to finish the year with top NHL Draft Lottery odds, and looked completely overwhelmed in back-to-back losses in Montreal and Ottawa to open this week. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 But that moat is now gone with the Groq deal, Feldman wrote. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moat. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

moat

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

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