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
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 Their study, published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, found that the makers of the stone tools used the adhesive to mold a handle rather than haft the tool to wood. Katie Hunt, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 The stretch fabric offers enough structure and support yet still molds to your shape. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024 Aggressively self-promoting and consummately skilled at social media, Gaetz seems molded in the image of his mentor, Trump. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Recalling the crushed ice of his childhood, molded into ice pops and sold by bicycle vendors in Kerala, India, his coconut crystals — coconut water, coconut milk and a touch of cardamom, all blended with liquid nitrogen — are embedded with mango gelée and candied basmati rice puffs. New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024
Noun
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 And there could be an up-ballot effect, in states such as North Carolina and Arizona, which feature the kinds of candidates for statewide office in the mold of Trump who have hampered Republicans' chances in the last three election cycles. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 And by year’s end, California will very likely have a new U.S. senator in the mold of its past one, Dianne Feinstein, whose former seat Democrat Schiff is vying to fill. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Its active ingredient, loratadine, is a non-drowsy antihistamine that relieves a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy throat or eyes caused by more than 200 different indoor and outdoor allergens, including dust, mold, pollen, and pet dander. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024 Moisture often leads to mold and other forms of bacterial growth. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 State officials are investigating reports of workers exposed to mold on the construction site of the massive BlueOval SK Battery Park near Glendale, company and state spokespeople confirmed Friday. Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 Preservationists from around the Midwest, including from the Field Museum in Chicago, assisted in carefully drying out the documents before mold set in. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 In Tanzania, Mushi and her collaborators are unlocking the mysteries of a mold (fungus) that infects patients who have already contracted the bacterial disease tuberculosis. Andrew Wight, Forbes, 26 Feb. 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 18 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

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