moat

[ moht ]

noun

1. a deep, wide trench, usually filled with water, surrounding the rampart of a fortified place, such as a town or a castle.
2. any trench, such as one used for confining animals in a zoo.
3. a competitive advantage a business has in its field:

   The company's moat was reduced when the patent on the devices they sold expired.

moat

/ məʊt /

noun

1. a wide water-filled ditch surrounding a fortified place, such as a castle

verb

1. tr to surround with or as if with a moat

   a moated grange

Word History and Origins

Origin of moat¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English mote, from Old French: “clod, mound,” of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of moat¹

C14: from Old French motte mound

Example Sentences

A massive gate in that interior wall looks like something out of a medieval castle — all that’s missing is a moat and guards.

From Los Angeles Times

The notion that America was secured by two unbreachable moats, the Atlantic and the Pacific, was already about to be invalidated.

From Salon

Like many of the other castles on the list, it has secret passages, a drawbridge and moat, a chapel and a torture chamber — but this Napa Valley castle offers wine tastings as well as tours.

From Seattle Times

The moat of trash in the yard reaches the driveway, encasing a red Toyota Corolla Twin Cam in crumpled tarps, coat hangers, broom handles, coffee cups, more newspaper and more plastic bags.

From Los Angeles Times

“Each step in Apple’s course of conduct built and reinforced the moat around its smartphone monopoly,” prosecutors wrote in Thursday’s lawsuit.

From New York Times

Related Words

• gully
• trench