mold

1 of 5

noun (1)

plural molds
1
a
: a cavity in which a substance is shaped: such as
(1)
: a matrix for casting metal
a bullet mold
(2)
: a form in which food is given a decorative shape
b
: a molded object
2
a
b
: a fixed pattern : design
c
obsolete : an example to be followed
3
: distinctive nature or character : type
4
: the frame on or around which an object is constructed
5

mold

2 of 5

verb (1)

molded; molding; molds

transitive verb

1
: to knead or work (a material, such as dough or clay) into a desired consistency or shape
2
: to form in a mold
mold candles
3
: to determine or influence the quality or nature of
mold public opinion
4
: to give shape to
the wind molds the waves
5
: to fit the contours of
fitted skirts that mold the hips
6
: to ornament with molding or carving
molded picture frames
moldable adjective

mold

3 of 5

noun (2)

plural molds
1
: a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus (as of the order Mucorales)
2
: a fungus that produces mold

mold

4 of 5

verb (2)

molded; molding; molds

intransitive verb

: to become moldy

mold

5 of 5

noun (3)

plural molds
1
: crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth : soil
especially : soil rich in humus compare leaf mold
2
dialectal British
a
: the surface of the earth : ground
b
: the earth of the burying ground
3
archaic : earth that is the substance of the human body
Be merciful, great Duke, to men of mold.William Shakespeare

Examples of mold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Ncuti Gatwa wore a silver breastplate molded to his body, while Russel Westbrook ditched the sleeves on his suit. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Although the morning meeting didn’t have the inflammatory tone of CPAC or a Trump rally, the quietly jubilant bureaucratic session still delivered another institution that would be molded primarily by the former President, his family, and his loyalties. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024 Today, the only sensible way to compete is by being better than your rivals at molding new economic systems, and then steering those ecosystems to lasting growth. John G. Singer, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024 Instead of molding an employee to a job role, why not make the job role fit the person? Sally Percy, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Sophia has sharp cheekbones and golden eyes, molded in the likeness of Audrey Hepburn. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 29 Feb. 2024 There is a bit of a breaking-in period with Red Wings—but once these babies start molding to your foot, you’ll be hooked on their comfort, versatility, and timeless appeal. Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024 Fusion, which basically molds the outsole and midsole together through extreme heat. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Another camp, though, thinks that convergence goes beyond selection, to socialization—meaning that partners mold each other to be more like themselves. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
Distilled white vinegar works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024 The padded insoles and adjustable buckle straps allow the shoes to practically mold to your feet, while the inset circular heels offer the slightest bit of height in an elegant way. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 These molds were then used to cast custom foam latex prosthetics, which were painted using airbrushing, washing and drybrushing techniques. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 To fit that mold, Silverman dyed her hair blonde, and started to pair restriction with intense exercise to lose weight. Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 Making shoes requires molds, so bigger molds are needed to accommodate larger sizes. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 Vehicles arriving in Europe have contained mold, while imported EVs to Japan have come with a series of surface imperfections, according to The Journal. William Gavin, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 But 51 people live at the camp, meaning some people sleep in tents, in their cars or in dilapidated trailers and RVs that leak in the rain and have sprouted mold. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 While the strategy is not fleshed out, the new faith and bridge-building effort, Bhargava said, will support in the mold of current grantees the Heartland Fund, which supports advocacy in rural areas, and the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, a network of faith and community organizations. Alex Daniels Of The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

Noun (2)

Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Danish mul mold

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Old English molde; akin to Old High German molta soil, Latin molere to grind — more at meal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near mold

Cite this Entry

“Mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mold. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mold

1 of 5 noun
: light rich crumbly earth that contains decaying matter (as leaves)

mold

2 of 5 noun
1
: the frame on, around, or in which something is constructed or shaped
a candle mold
2
: something shaped in a mold
a mold of gelatin

mold

3 of 5 verb
1
: to work and press into shape
mold loaves of bread
2
: to form in a mold
3
: to determine or influence the character of
mold a child's mind
moldable adjective
molder noun

mold

4 of 5 verb
: to become moldy

mold

5 of 5 noun
1
: an often fuzzy surface growth of fungus especially on damp or decaying matter
2
: a fungus that produces mold
Etymology

Noun

Old English molde "rich soil"

Noun

Middle English mold "special nature of something, frame on which something is formed," from early French molde (same meaning), from Latin modulus "form, measure"

Verb

Middle English moulen "to become moldy"

Medical Definition

mold

1 of 4 noun
variants or chiefly British mould
: a cavity in which a fluid or malleable substance is shaped

mold

2 of 4 transitive verb
variants or chiefly British mould
: to give shape to especially in a mold

mold

3 of 4 intransitive verb
variants or chiefly British mould
: to become moldy

mold

4 of 4 noun
variants or chiefly British mould
1
: a superficial often woolly growth produced by a fungus especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms
2
: a fungus (as of the order Mucorales) that produces mold

Geographical Definition

Mold

geographical name

town in northeastern Wales south-southwest of Liverpool, England population 10,000

More from Merriam-Webster on mold

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!