moat

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A deep, wide ditch, usually filled with water, around a castle or town to keep attackers out.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'a' or 'the': a moat, the moat.

   Patterns

   • a moat around something
   • fill the moat

   The medieval castle was surrounded by a wide moat.

   They crossed the moat using a small boat.

   The old city walls still have a dry moat on the outside.

2. 2nouncountablebusinessfigurative

   A strong advantage that protects a business from competitors, such as a famous brand or unique technology.

   Grammar: Countable; common in business writing: a competitive moat, an economic moat.

   Patterns

   • a competitive moat
   • build a moat

   The company's strong brand gives it a wide moat against rivals.

   Investors look for businesses with a durable economic moat.

   Their patented technology acts as a moat that keeps competitors away.

Word forms

Common combinations

a moat around

A moat around the castle kept enemies from reaching the walls.

cross the moat

The soldiers tried to cross the moat but the water was too deep.

competitive moat

The startup's competitive moat is its exclusive data.

economic moat

Analysts say the firm has a narrow economic moat.

Synonyms and how they differ

trench

A trench is any long narrow ditch, often for drainage or military use; a moat is specifically for defense around a building.

ditch

A ditch is a simple dug channel, not necessarily filled with water or used for defense; a moat is usually wider and deeper.

Word family

moated adjective

Surrounded by a moat, as in a moated castle.

Commonly confused: moat or mote?

Practice

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