mothball

1 of 2

noun

moth·​ball ˈmȯth-ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball made formerly of camphor but now often of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene and used to keep moths from clothing

2

mothballs plural : a condition of protective storage

put the ships in mothballs after the war

also : a state of having been rejected for further use or dismissed from further consideration

mothball

2 of 2

verb

mothballed; mothballing; mothballs

transitive verb

1

: to deactivate (something, such as a ship) and prevent deterioration chiefly by dehumidification

2

: to withdraw from use or service and keep in reserve : put aside

Examples of mothball in a Sentence

Verb

Many navy ships were mothballed after the war.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That's probably why people have put mothballs in their cedar chests for years. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024

There was this great waft of camphor, the mothball smell and these strange furs, fox furs and things like this, and peculiar Austrian artifacts, and collars from my grandfather with Germanic names on it. —Marc Malkin, Variety, 15 June 2024

Verb

It’s currently mothballed and will require some recommissioning, which will include fixing a broken water pump, before being put back on the road in time to celebrate the model’s 100th anniversary in 2025. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024

The staff, including Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter, encouraged him to mothball his cutter in favor of throwing his slider more. —Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mothball

1 of 2 noun

moth·​ball ˈmȯth-ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball (as of naphthalene) used to keep moths out of clothing

2

plural : protective storage

a fleet put in mothballs after the war

mothball

2 of 2 verb

1

: to remove a ship from use and protect from deterioration

2

: to withdraw from use or service and keep in reserve : put aside