moat

noun

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.
For incumbents with strong data moats and industry muscle, the temptation to follow suit is growing stronger by the day. Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 In the 1980s and ’90s, when structural violence and institutional indifference surrounded many Black communities like a moat, here was a young Black man being raised in love — secure, seen, and believed in. Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025 Other teams use mechanisms such as waterless moats or other openings in between the fans and the outfield to discourage fans from making their way to the field. Dhani Joseph, New York Times, 22 July 2025 But integration also creates a moat for incumbents and multi-product suites like Rippling (which raised $2B+) that combine payroll, benefits, devices, and HR into one stack. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 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 20 Aug. 2025.

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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