Fosse: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is more historically oriented and can be used when referring to ancient defensive structures or architecture.

• The old castle was surrounded by a deep fosse to repel invaders

Trench is commonly used in military contexts to describe long, narrow ditches used as a defense mechanism or to hide troops. It is also used in construction and archaeology.

• Soldiers took cover in the trenches during the battle

Ditch is commonly used in everyday language to describe a long, narrow excavation in the ground, often for drainage or irrigation purposes.

• After the storm, the workers cleared the debris from the roadside ditch

Pit can refer to a larger and often deeper hole in the ground, used for various purposes such as mining or disposing of waste. It can also be used in a negative context to describe an unpleasant or undesirable place.

• They discovered a hidden treasure chest at the bottom of the pit

Primarily used in historical or archaeological contexts to describe a defensive ditch found around old fortifications or settlements.

• The ancient castle was surrounded by a deep fosse

Specifically refers to a wide, deep ditch, often filled with water, surrounding a castle or fort for defense; has a historical connotation.

• The castle had a moat filled with water to protect it from invaders

Usually employed in military or construction settings to describe long, narrow excavations made in the ground, potentially for protection or laying foundations.

• The soldiers dug trenches to protect themselves during the battle

Commonly refers to a narrow channel dug into the ground, typically used for drainage alongside roads or fields.

• The farmer dug a ditch to help irrigate his crops