Definition of molt
intransitive verb
: to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically Birds molt once or twice a year.
transitive verb
: to cast off (an outer covering) periodically; specifically : to throw off (the old cuticle (see cuticle 1) —used of arthropods a spider, like a lobster, molts its covering as it grows — Eugene Kinkead
molter
nounExplore M-W
Examples of molt in a Sentence
Snakes molt as they grow, shedding the old skin and growing a larger new skin.
a crab molts its shell as it grows larger
Origin and Etymology of molt
alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -mūtian to change, from Latin mutare — more at mutable
First Known Use: 15th century
Origin and Etymology of molt
see 1molt
First Known Use: 1815
MOLT Defined for English Language Learners
molt
playDefinition of molt for English Language Learners
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biology : to lose a covering of hair, feathers, etc., and replace it with new growth in the same place
MOLT Defined for Kids
molt
playDefinition of molt for Students
molted
;molting
: to shed outer material (as hair, shell, or horns) that will be replaced by a new growth
Medical Dictionary
moult
Medical Definition of molt
: to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
transitive verb
: to cast off (an outer covering) periodically; specifically : to throw off (the old cuticle)—used of arthropods
molt
moult
Medical Definition of molt
: the act or process of molting; specifically : ecdysis
Learn More about molt
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See words that rhyme with molt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for molt Spanish Central: Translation of molt Nglish: Translation of molt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of molt for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about molt
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