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

“We made original crown molding ourselves. I put a tin ceiling in the library living room,” she says.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Indeed, there’s much time, effort and money spent on molding a show’s return into the kind of must-see event that will draw viewers old and new.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

In a quick interview, Smith railed against the Democratic establishment, and while she deserves credit for molding Buttigieg into the podcast-fluent surrogate he is today, I couldn’t help but laugh.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025

She learned a lot about high-precision concrete, including the chemistry, equipment, mixing process and molding required to make urban benches, lighting and facade paneling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

The primary goal of Dawnland education was molding character.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• decoration
• embellishment
• frieze