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

Verb (2) plants molding in the abandoned garden Noun (3) mold so rich that just about anything will grow in it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
On sale for just $73, these waterproof all-terrain boots have molded wavy outsoles that provide traction on slippery surfaces. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2024 The two go on to marry and face life at the Viennese Court, a life that looks to change Elizabeth’s free-spirited disposition and mold her according to the rules other people have set for her. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
Some types of mold can grow very quickly—as soon as 24 to 48 hours. Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024 The doctor is still winding the slimy material around his wrist and hand, and the separate layers of material have started to merge into one another, forming a single white mass, which the doctor smooths and molds. David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mold 

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 5 Dec. 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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