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

Think layers of molding on the mantel, picture molding on the chimney, decorative tile, maybe even some corbels. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025

At the heart of the 15,000 square feet of living space is a soaring double-height atrium wrapped in detailed cherrywood paneling and surrounded by a series of formal salons, each with original murals, moldings, and paneling. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025

Some have stripes of rough stone, others have rows of dentil molding. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 7 Oct. 2025

One of the layers includes Purple’s own proprietary GelFlex Grid, aimed to feel both soft and firm—molding to your pressure points, while still offering optimal support. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025

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