fossa

¹ American  

[fos-uh] / ˈfɒs ə /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

fossae

1. a pit, cavity, or depression, as in a bone.

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fossa ² American  

[fos-uh] / ˈfɒs ə /

noun

1. a forest-dwelling genetlike mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox, of the civet family, native to Madagascar, with a short coat of white, black, gray, or brown: now rare.

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fossa ¹ British  

/ ˈfɒsə /

noun

1. an anatomical depression, trench, or hollow area

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fossa ² British  

/ ˈfɒsə /

noun

1. a large primitive catlike viverrine mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox , inhabiting the forests of Madagascar: order Carnivora (carnivores). It has thick reddish-brown fur and preys on lemurs, poultry, etc

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Etymology

Origin of fossa¹

1820–30; < Latin: ditch, trench, fosse, short for fossa ( terra ) dug or dug out (earth), noun use of feminine of fossus, past participle of fodere to dig

Origin of fossa²

1830–40; < Malagasy; compare earlier fossane (< French < Malagasy)

Example Sentences

The surgery has also left him with a condition called Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which can cause memory loss, unsteadiness and a decreased ability to talk.

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

Alan Fossa, a postdoctoral research associate in environmental health at Brown, also contributed to this study.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

Julian Fernandez, CEO of Fossa Systems, a Madrid-based company that builds lightweight nanosatellites, said he had to dedicate one of his 24 employees exclusively to dealing with the paperwork to obtain a 300,000-euro grant.

From Reuters • Apr. 20, 2023

“It sounds beautiful, and I believe in social equity,” said Goldie Fossa, 35, after voting at West Springfield High School.

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2019

The glass of the windows was hot and crackling, especially on the side of the Fossa della Vetrana.

From Naples Past and Present by Norway, Arthur H.