molding

American  

[mohl-ding] / ˈmoʊl dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of molding.

2. something molded.

3. a strip of contoured wood or other material placed just below the juncture of a wall and a ceiling.

4. Architecture, Furniture.

   1. any of various long, narrow, ornamental surfaces that are either continuous or discontinuous, with uniform cross sections for the full length and a strikingly modeled profile that casts strong shadows: used on frames, tables, etc., and certain architectural members, as cornices, stringcourses, or bases.

   2. a strip of wood, stone, etc., having such a surface.

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molding British  

/ ˈməʊldɪŋ /

noun

1. the US spelling of moulding

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Etymology

Origin of molding

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at mold ¹, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Molding your interests around your parents so that you can be close to them — I think that’s how our personalities are formed in many ways.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2024

Molding is made from various materials, including wood, MDF and polystyrene.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

Molding the potter’s mud was like meditation, even for the girls, and, as we silently worked, the minutes melted into hours.

From Washington Post • Jun. 20, 2019

Dominic Miccichi, a 24-year-old autoworker from Tiffin, Ohio, said that a Chinese company, Ningbo Jifeng Auto Parts, was bidding to take over his plant, Toledo Molding and Die, by buying its current German owner, Grammer.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2018

Molding lacked the same sense of wonder, and of course no perfectly symmetrical vessel could be made without the wheel.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

Related Words

• decoration
• embellishment
• frieze