molt

verb

\ˈmōlt

molted; molting; molts

Definition of molt

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 1) —used of arthropods a spider, like a lobster, molts its covering as it grows — Eugene Kinkead

molt

noun

Definition of molt (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act or process of molting specifically : ecdysis

Other Words from molt Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about molt

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Synonyms for molt

Synonyms: Verb

exfoliate, shed, slip, slough (also sluff)

Examples of molt in a Sentence

Verb

Snakes molt as they grow, shedding the old skin and growing a larger new skin. a crab molts its shell as it grows larger

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

More than simply a bold fashion statement, a cozy knitted top can keep a hen warm during molting season and prevent her from picking at herself as new feathers grow in. — Lauren Matthews, Country Living, "These DIY Chicken Sweaters Are Going Viral," 21 Jan. 2015 The Weddell seals were already finished molting, so the scene was much cleaner. — Kasha Patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018 The birds that fly from Wisconsin to Canada to molt typically stay north of the border until mid to late August, then fly south, Finger said, returning slightly ahead of the fall migration of the MVP geese. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Canada geese grouping up before molt migration," 9 June 2018 Now that the points from Roland Garros 2017 molted off like snakeskin, Stanislas Wawrinka is now down to world No. 263. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Looking Back at Roland Garros," 13 June 2018 About 70% of Canada geese from Wisconsin fly to Ontario to molt, with most in the James Bay region, Finger said. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Canada geese grouping up before molt migration," 9 June 2018 See another video of the same species molting, and learn more about the spider. — Amy Rankin, National Geographic, "A Tarantula Sheds Its Skin in New Time-Lapse Video," 16 May 2018 During molting season, their appetite almost doubles. — Grace Wong, chicagotribune.com, "What do a sommelier, a Bears lineman and a penguin eat for lunch?," 26 Apr. 2018 Area songbirds are slowly but steadily molting into their breeding plumage. — Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Yellow-rumped warblers become brighter for breeding | Charlotte Observer," 12 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

These epic journeys, called pre-molt dispersals, are crucial for survival. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Penguins," 6 Nov. 2018 Each summer the birds shed, or molt, their wing and tail feathers. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Canada geese grouping up before molt migration," 9 June 2018 In addition to hola and gràcies, bon día (good morning), si us plau (please), merci (thanks), and molt bó (very good, as in food) will be useful. — Sara Mccarty, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Essential Things to Know Before You Visit Barcelona," 5 Mar. 2018 The females will not change as much during the molt. — Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, "American goldfinches sport a new look this time of year | Charlotte Observer," 11 Feb. 2018 In winter, tens of thousands of the threatened Steller's eider sea ducks stay in Izembek and molt. — Author: Juliet Eilperin, Anchorage Daily News, "Interior Department strikes deal with Alaska village for road through national wildlife refuge," 6 Jan. 2018 The eruption would have coincided with their annual molt, which leaves the penguins vulnerable and unable to enter the water. — Aaron Sidder, National Geographic, "Erupting Volcano May Have Destroyed Huge Penguin Colony," 6 July 2016 After the megalopa phase, crabs molt another seven or eight times to transform into their crab shape. — Sara Sneath, NOLA.com, "Does coastal erosion help or harm the Gulf's blue crabs?," 20 Oct. 2017 That molt essentially wiped out the soot that had accumulated in their plumage. — Ben Guarino, Washington Post, "Soot caught in bird feathers shows how catastrophic air pollution can be," 9 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'molt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.