noun

moat

/moʊt/ · say it: MOHT

a lasting advantage that protects a business from rivals

In From the Business Pages

In more detail

1. (noun) a deep water-filled ditch that surrounds a castle or fortified town for protection

2. (noun) figuratively, something that protects or defends a business or advantage from competition

Examples

1. The castle was protected by a wide moat filled with water.
2. The company's strong brand reputation serves as a moat against competitors.

How to use moat

Moat is used literally to describe the water-filled fortifications around medieval castles and towns. In modern business and economics, it is used figuratively to mean a lasting competitive advantage that protects a company from rivals, as in 'the company's brand loyalty creates a strong moat.' The figurative sense has become increasingly common in business discourse.

Common phrases

cross the moat
surround with a moat
economic moat
competitive moat
wide moat

Synonyms

ditch · water channel · defensive barrier · protection

Word family

moated (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse moat with moat-like features such as walls or gates, forgetting that a moat specifically refers to water or a water-filled ditch.

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