: 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
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Recently, Colossal announced plans to resurrect the long-extinct New Zealand bird species, the moa, at the urging of filmmaker Peter Jackson, who is an investor in Colossal. Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025 The process of bringing back birds like the moa, however, is an entirely different ballgame because they are formed inside of an egg. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 9 July 2025 The moa project is a partnership between the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Colossal and Jackson. Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 Now, Maori descendants of those long-ago Polynesian settlers are trying to bring the giant moa and eight smaller moa species back. David Bloom, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for moa

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moa was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Moa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moa. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

moa

noun
: any of various usually very large extinct birds of New Zealand that were not able to fly

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