mold

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈmōld 

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

: prototype

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

: molding

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

ˈmōl-də-bəl 

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

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• break down
• corrupt
• decay
• decompose
• disintegrate
• fester
• foul
• molder
• perish [chiefly British]
• putrefy
• rot
• spoil

Noun (3)

• clod
• dirt
• earth
• ground
• soil

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

Verb

Wolford makes a fantastic one that molds to the figure for a perfect base. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

Miranda is, in some ways, an ideal vessel for the endeavor, a songwriter whose sensibilities were molded by the vibrant musical heritages of his hometown and whose most successful songs tackle the question of whether to fight or accept imminent change. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

This is Claudia, the only animal not made in a mold. —Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 18 Nov. 2024

What Types of Bacteria Are Lurking in Your Reusable Water Bottle? According to the Water Quality Association, a not-for-profit organization in the water treatment industry, all drinking water contains microbes or heterotrophic microorganisms, a catch-all term for types of bacteria, mold, or yeast. —Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 17 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing mold

• blue mold
• bread mold
• break the mold
• (cast) in the same mold as
• fit (into/in) the mold of
• green mold
• leaf mold
• pre-mold
• slime mold
• sooty mold
• They broke the mold
• water mold

Kids Definition

mold

1 of 5 noun

ˈmōld 

: 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

ˈmōl-də-bəl 

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

ˈmōld 

: 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

ˈmōld 

town in northeastern Wales south-southwest of Liverpool, England population 10,000