: any of various usually very large extinct flightless birds of New Zealand of a ratite order (Dinornithiformes) including two (Dinornis robustus and D. novaezelandiae of the family Dinornithidae) nearly 12 feet (3.7 meters) in height
Examples of moa in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team also tracked down a second upland moa coprolite that was housed in a museum.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
The tallest bird to ever exist was the extinct South Island giant moa, native to New Zealand.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
Centuries ago, bush moas were among the world's largest birds.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 May 2024
Researchers have been finding bush moa fossils for centuries, Edwards said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for moa 
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.
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
The tallest bird to ever exist was the extinct South Island giant moa, native to New Zealand.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
Centuries ago, bush moas were among the world's largest birds.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 May 2024
Researchers have been finding bush moa fossils for centuries, Edwards said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for moa
Dictionary Entries Near moa
Cite this Entry
“Moa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moa. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
moa
noun
: any of various usually very large extinct birds of New Zealand that were not able to fly
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share