moss

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯs How to pronounce moss (audio)
1
chiefly Scotland : bog, swamp
especially : a peat bog
2
a
: any of a division (Bryophyta) of plants characterized by a gametophyte having a small leafy often tufted stem bearing sex organs at its tip
also : a clump or sward of these plants
b
: any of various plants resembling moss in appearance or habit of growth
3
: a mossy covering
mosslike
ˈmȯs-ˌlīk How to pronounce moss (audio)
adjective

moss

2 of 2

verb

mossed; mossing; mosses

transitive verb

: to cover or overgrow with moss

Examples of moss in a Sentence

Noun Moss covered the fallen logs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The 11-mile Hoh River Trail explores every nook and cranny of this serene rain forest, while the shorter one-mile Hall of Mosses loops through old-growth forests and maple groves, with a verdant canopy of moss providing shade along the way. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 Keep some near your houseplants to loosely secure monstera stems and other vining varieties to stakes and moss poles. — The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026 In the library, the walls and windows are covered in a George Spencer moss strié fabric from Claremont. — Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026 The flower ships directly to their new doorstep and comes beautifully arranged with moss and a support stake. — Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moss

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English mos; akin to Old High German mos moss, Latin muscus

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moss was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing moss

Rhymes for moss

See All Rhymes for moss

Browse Nearby Words

mosquito plant
moss
moss agate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moss. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

moss

noun
ˈmȯs
1
: any of a class of plants that have no flowers and produce small leafy stems forming sex organs at their tips and that grow in patches like cushions on rocks, bark, or damp ground
2
: any of various plants (as lichens) resembling mosses compare reindeer moss
mosslike
-ˌlīk
adjective
mossy
ˈmȯ-sē
adjective

Medical Definition

moss

noun
ˈmȯs How to pronounce moss (audio)
1
: any of a division (Bryophyta) of plants having a small leafy often tufted stem bearing sex organs at its tip see sphagnum
2
: any of various plants resembling mosses in appearance or habit of growth see club moss, iceland moss, irish moss

More from Merriam-Webster on moss

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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