堀ほり

noun

moat; fosse

Primarily a defensive water-filled trench around a castle or fortification. Also used in historical or metaphorical contexts.

• 城しろの周まわりには深ふかい堀ほりが巡めぐらされている。

  A deep moat runs around the castle.

noun

canal; ditch

General term for an artificial waterway, drainage ditch, or canal. Often used for smaller or non-defensive channels.

• 田たんぼの脇わきの堀ほりに水みずが流ながれている。

  Water is flowing in the ditch beside the rice field.