Bolt's task was made easier when American fourth-leg runner Justin Gatlin fluffed his start, stumbling and veering into the Jamaican's lane.
The Jamaican quartet of Nesta Carter, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade and Bolt secured the Caribbean nation a hat-trick of world titles in a time of 37.36.
Gatlin brought home the U.S. in 37.66 with Britain taking bronze after putting an end to their past relay woes when they have often failed to get the baton around one lap.
The Jamaican women regained the world title from the U.S., again helped by a costly error.
The quartet of Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert and Fraser-Pryce streaked to gold in 41.29, the second fastest time ever run.
A mishap on the second and third interchange between Alexandria Anderson and English Gardner who started her run too soon and had to halt to grasp the baton, effectively ended U.S. victory hopes.
France grabbed silver in 42.73 and it was only a storming final leg from Octavious Freeman that secured an unlikely American bronze, Freeman eating up ground down the home straight with a sizzling run to get into to a medal position.
The U.S. set a stunning world record of 40.82 at the London 2012 Olympic Games but none of that victorious quartet featured in the Moscow final, notably Allyson Felix who tore a hamstring in the 200m final and 100m bronze medal winner Carmelita Jeter who was left out.
(Editing by Alison Wildey)
