mosh

American  

[mosh] / mɒʃ /

verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. to engage in a form of frenzied, violent dancing; slam-dance.

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mosh British  

/ mɒʃ /

noun

1. a type of dance, performed to loud rock music, in which people throw themselves about in a frantic and violent manner

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verb

1. (intr) to dance in this manner

Etymology

Origin of mosh

1980–85; perhaps variant of mash ¹

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Explanation

To mosh is to dance in a wild, almost violent way. Fans of music like hardcore punk and thrash metal often mosh at live shows. Concert-goers first began to mosh in the early 1980s while listening to bands play loud, aggressive hardcore and punk music. A "mosh pit" is the area near the stage where fans dance crazily. It became more common to mosh when grunge gained popularity in the late 80s. This verb was first spelled mash, but pronounced mosh — probably thanks to the lead singer of the band Bad Brains, who encouraged crowds to "mash it up" in his Jamaican accent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mosh

William Lewis Herndon would approve of his memorial becoming a maritime mosh pit.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026

This place is just a sweat mosh pit — amazing!

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026

"It was like a mosh pit," the 44-year-old said.

From Barron's ● May 16, 2026

“Seeing people of all ages, genders and backgrounds come together to mosh, lift each other up, chant, cry, scream in both parts joyful and angry, is my greatest joy.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

“Don’t you kids get too crazy. Bad injuries at the last Yo-Yo Ma mosh pit,” Mom called as we walked down the lawn.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

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