Moat: meaning, definitions and examples

A moat is typically used to describe a deep, wide ditch, often filled with water, that surrounds a castle, fort, or town for protection against attackers.

• The castle was surrounded by a wide moat, making it nearly impossible for invaders to approach.
• They had to lower the drawbridge to cross the moat and enter the fortress.

A ditch is a narrow channel dug into the ground, usually used for drainage or irrigation purposes. It doesn’t have the same grand or historical connotation as a moat.

• The farmer dug a ditch to direct rainwater away from the fields.
• The car skidded off the road and ended up in a ditch.

A trench generally refers to a long, narrow ditch dug into the ground. It often has connotations related to warfare, construction, or geology.

• During World War I, soldiers spent months in muddy trenches on the front lines.
• Construction workers dug a trench to lay the new pipes.

A fosse is an archaic term for a ditch or moat, primarily used in historical or literary contexts. It shares a similar meaning with 'moat' but is less commonly used in modern language.

• The medieval fortress was protected by a deep fosse filled with water.
• Knights patrolled the perimeter of the fort, ensuring the fosse was intact.