molding

noun

mold·​ing ˈmōl-diŋ 

1

: an object produced by molding

2

a

: a decorative recessed or relieved surface

b

: a decorative plane or curved strip used for ornamentation or finishing

Illustration of molding

• 1 fillet and fascia
• 2 torus
• 3 reeding
• 4 cavetto
• 5 scotia
• 6 congé
• 7 beak

Examples of molding in a Sentence

The house has beautiful moldings around its doors and windows.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Zakarian and the makeup team now have a 3D printer and a wealth of digital information, which makes the sculpting and molding process go much faster. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 9 June 2026

Instead, a cake decorator played double duty, translating their icing skills for the detailed trim and molding throughout the Edwardian-style space. —Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2026

Tortillas are also prone to molding, so tossing them in the refrigerator is always the safest bet and can help them last up to twice as long. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 June 2026

The spacious living room has lovely hardwoods, decorative molding, and three west-facing windows. —Katie McDonough, Curbed, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing molding

• bed molding
• crown molding
• injection molding

Rhymes for molding

• folding
• holding
• moulding
• scolding
• beholding
• enfolding
• landholding
• refolding
• shareholding
• slaveholding
• stockholding
• unfolding

Kids Definition

molding

noun

mold·​ing ˈmōl-diŋ 

1

a

: the act or work of a person who molds

b

: an object produced by molding

2

: a strip of material having a shaped surface and used as a decoration (as on a wall or the edge of a table)

Medical Definition

molding

noun

mold·​ing

variants or chiefly British moulding

ˈmōl-diŋ 

: an act or process of molding

specifically : the shaping of the fetal head to allow it to pass through the birth canal during childbirth